WKU Men’s Basketball returned home Saturday to host their former head coach, Ray Harper, and his Jacksonville State Gamecocks, spoiling his return in an 80-69 Hilltopper victory. 

“I think that our first half was a little bit slow,” senior guard Brandon Newman said.  “We weren’t really as aggressive as we talked about coming into the game and we kind of let them do whatever they wanted on the offensive end. “ 

It was a big bounce-back game after falling to Sam Houston a few nights earlier.  The team corrected offensive and defensive mistakes to rebound and win a big conference game, putting them at 13-4 on the season and 2-1 in conference play. 

Senior guard Brandon Newman had a career game, scoring a season-high 25 points, while grabbing four rebounds and four assists.  He also led the team with three steals.  Junior guard Don McHenry added 19 points, helping to lead an offensive charge for the Hilltoppers.  The team shot 49.1% from the field and 50% even from three point. 

The story of the game also comes from the defensive side, as the Hilltoppers only allowed 26 points in the second half.  They forced 14 turnovers and forced the Gamecocks to shoot only 33.3% from beyond the arc. 

“At the end of the day,” Lutz said. “I felt like our guy’s defensive intensity and our rebounding, especially in the second half, was a ton better.” 

The Hilltoppers will travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico to take on the New Mexico State Aggies on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. CT.