WKU Men’s Basketball defeated Jacksonville St 70-59 Saturday, en route to their third straight conference win.
The Hilltoppers jumped out to a quick 13-6 lead over the Gamecocks in the first 5:12 of the contest. Jacksonville St responded with a 17-9 run to take a 23-22 lead at the 7:51 mark.
WKU and Jax St traded baskets for the remainder of the half as the Gamecocks took a 29-28 lead into the half.
The teams continued to go back and forth throughout the beginning of the second half. WKU began to pull away at the 11:41 mark and ended the game on a 30-19 run, claiming a 70-59 victory.
WKU shot 41.5 percent from the field in the contest, and 35.3 percent from three. The Hilltoppers shot 2-14 from three in the contest and went 1-10 from three in the second half. The Gamecocks struggled to shoot from three in the contest going 1-14.
Both teams struggled to protect the ball as WKU turned the ball over 13 times and the Gamecocks turned it over 14 times.
Junior Don McHenry carried WKU offensively with 24 points. Junior Babacar Faye led the Hilltoppers on the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds.
WKU now stands at 17-7 on the season and 6-4 in conference play.
The Hilltoppers will return to Diddle Arena Feb. 15 to take on the UTEP Miners at 6 p.m. CT.
