WKU used a strong defensive performance Wednesday, defeating the Jackson State Tigers in a 79-62 home victory.
The Hilltoppers dominated on defense forcing 19 turnovers, 12 coming in the first half to hold the Tigers to 62. WKU held JSU under 40% shooting from the field and 32% from three.
“I thought we did a good job. Any time you can get your hand on the basketball… it makes team’s hesitate,” Head Coach Hank Plona said,
WKU shot 45% from three and 43% from the field with productive performances from graduate guard Khristian Lander with 15 points, senior guard Don McHenry with 13 points and freshman Julius Thedford with 12 points.
“(I) was happy to see a lot of different guys contribute tonight,” Plona said.
WKU will go on the road against the University of Kentucky Tuesday, Nov. 26 at Rupp Arena.
FIRST HALF
WKU opened the game with a 9-0 run, going 3-4 from three in the first four minutes of the game. JSU struggled to shoot from the field early, missing each of their first 10 attempts. JSU’s first points came on a free throw from Juan Reyna almost seven minutes into the game.
WKU continued to dominate leading 18-4 going into the 12-minute timeout.
JSU went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 18-11, but the Hilltoppers responded with a 10-4 run extending their lead to 28-15 with seven minutes left in the half.
The Tigers went on a 5-0 run to close the half cutting the lead from 17 to 12, however, the Hilltoppers managed to keep a comfortable lead thanks in part to sophomore guard Jack Edelen scoring eight points which is a career-high. The half closed out with the Hilltoppers leading 40-28 over the Tigers.
JSU got their three-point shooting back on track to close out the first half, ending the half shooting 41%. WKU shot well from three in the first half with a 44% mark. The Hilltoppers shot 41% from the field in the half.
SECOND HALF
WKU outscored JSU 12-8 in the first five minutes of the half, aided by five points from graduate guard Khristian Lander.
The Hilltoppers three-point efficiency from the first half carried into the second. WKU shot 60% from three in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Hilltoppers led the Tigers 58-39 at the 12-minute timeout.
WKU kept their consistent lead, taking a 69-49 advantage with 6:29 left in the game.
Lander continued his hot half with two three-pointers within two minutes, helping the Hilltoppers extend the lead to 75-54 with under four minutes in the game.
WKU finished out the game with a 79-62 win, securing their third home win in a row.
Sports reporter Nathan Mueller can be reached at [email protected]
