Tucker Covey

Steve Lutz (right) jokes with WKU President Timothy Caboni (left) while fielding questions during a press conference announcing his accession to head coach of the men’s basketball team in the Jack and Jackie Harbaugh Stadium Club building on Monday, March 20, 2023. Lutz made the move to WKU from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story misspelled Barren County. The Herald regrets this error.

WKU’s Men’s Basketball team put on a show for Barren County faithful, as the school celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.

The event, while headlined by a red vs white scrimmage from the Hilltoppers, also featured four guest speakers. WKU President Timothy Caboni, WKU Athletic Director Todd Stewert, Barron County Superintendent Bo Matthews and WKU MBB Head Coach Steve Lutz, were all in attendance for Barren County’s semi-centennial.

Caboni kicked off the festivities with a history of WKU and Barren County’s relationship throughout the years.

“We have over 3,000 alumni in Barren County,” Caboni said. “This is our fourth largest alumni group in the Commonwealth. We get over 80 students a year from Barren County high school. 600 students have gotten in with us. This is the fifth largest feeder school in the Commonwealth. That is why we are here tonight.”

When it was Lutz’s turn with the microphone, he set the expectation for what his guys were going to be displaying.

“Our goals for the night, is number one, not to get hurt and number two, is to make you guys proud,” Lutz said. “When you leave here, I want you to say that out team works as hard as each and every one of you, because I know the people in this county.”

The scrimmage featured two halves of ten minutes. Team White, led by fifth year, Georgia Tech transfer, Rodney Howard defeated Team White, led by senior Dontaie Allen.

Howard’s introduction to Hilltopper nation was a dominant one, as the 6’11” forward discord 13 points in the first half. A hot start from redshirt junior Fallou Diagne, also a member of team white, brought it to a four point game at half, 26-30, team white. 

Team Red’s Dontaie Allen was not ready to give up yet, as he scored 7 points in the second half, yet it was not enough, as Howard had yet another double digit half to end his night with 25 points. 

Howard’s dominant post production night led Team Red to edge out Team White 51-44. 

Fifth year senior Brandon Newman, who had 8 points, and Allen were both selected on Conference USA’s All-Conference Team.

Newman and Allen, along with the rest of the Hilltoppers will open their season against Kentucky Wesleyan College, at Diddle Arena, on November 6th.

Sports Reporter Luke Edmonds can be reached at [email protected]