Eli Randolph

Forward Dontaie Allen (11) goes up for a layup during WKU’s game against Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

In a bid to erase a three-game losing streak on Saturday, WKU mens basketball fell to the Liberty Flames, 82-79.

The Flames went into halftime with the lead, however, their offensive efficiency did not start the way it ended. With eight and a half minutes to play, the Hilltoppers were in command of an eight-point lead. 

During this span, WKU’s defense was doing everything right, holding Liberty to 5-16 from the field, while they converted on the other side of the court, sporting a 10-19 mark from the field.

Even though the Flames were 3-11 from behind the arc, Liberty’s Head Coach Ritchie McKay did not tell his team to pull back. Luckily for him, the Flames got hot. Ending the half 9-13 from the field, including another three triples, the Flames would go on a 21-9 run to give them a 36-32 lead at the half. 

Kyle Rode, the senior forward from Lexington, Kentucky, was doing everything on the court for the Flames. His 14 points on 5-8 shooting from the field and 4-6 from behind the arc played a vital role in their late first half comeback. 

However, Zach Cleveland was picking up where Rode could not. His five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks set up Liberty’s offense to make the charge.

For the Hilltoppers, Tyrone Marshall Jr. dominated on both ends of the court. His seven points and four rebounds each sat near the top on the WKU stat sheet, while also logging two blocks and two steals. 

The Hilltoppers went ice-cold to end the half. In the final seven minutes, WKU would go 3-12 from the field.

Team First Half Statistics: 

WKU: 14-32 FG, 1-8 3FG, 3-4 FT | 19 Rebounds: 15 Defensive, four Offensive.

LIB: 14-29 FG, 6-18 3FG, 2-2 FT | 15 Rebounds: 15 Defensive, zero Offensive.

The Hilltoppers had a chance to mirror the Flame’s first half success, but it was to no avail.

WKU boasted an 8-3, 12-5, and an 8-1 run in the second half, but the consistency of the Liberty offense when not on the receiving end of a run didn’t allow the Hilltoppers to chip away.

The second half charge for the Flames was led by none other than Rode. His 16 second half points on 4-7 from the field, and 3-6 from three becomes the fourth game straight where an opposing star has scored 20 against the Hilltoppers. 

For the Hilltoppers, freshman Teagan Moore did it again. His 12 points in the second half on a 3-4 performance from the field and 6-6 effort from the free throw line led the team to their near-win. This is Moore’s third time in the past five games he’s been the highest scorer for WKU.

WKU had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but a turnover from Moore as the clock expired allowed the Flames to torch the Hilltoppers

Team Second Half Statistics: 

WKU: 16-26 FG, 4-8 3FG, 11-13 FT | 10 Rebounds: 7 Defensive, three Offensive.

LIB: 10-18 FG, 5-10 3FG, 21-29 FT | 12 Rebounds: 9 Defensive, three Offensive.