WKU Men’s Basketball took care of business at home Tuesday with a dominant 84-60 victory over the Tennesse State Tigers, continuing their five-game home win streak.
The Hilltoppers forced 21 turnovers which resulted in 28 points allowing WKU to hold a comfortable lead all night in a game in which they never trailed.
“They don’t play very well with the pressure so we just didn’t want to let them get comfortable,” guard Don McHenry said. “We made that a key point early, just getting out and pressuring them.”
The Hilltoppers defense held the Tigers to just 31% from the field and 22% from the three, while WKU shot 47% from the field and 38% from the three. WKU scored 36 points in the paint.
Four individual Hilltoppers managed to reach double-digit points with guards Khristian Lander and McHenry scoring 19 and 18 respectively.
“It was good to see both Khristian and Don play so well and also play so well together tonight,” Head Coach Hank Plona said.
WKU will take on Murray State at E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday.
First Half
The Hilltoppers started the game on a 7-0 run. At the 16-minute media timeout, the Hilltoppers led the Tigers 12-2, thanks to three defensive rebounds and four forced turnovers.
The Hilltoppers went on a 6-0 run in under a minute taking a 25-8 lead at the 12-minute media timeout. The Hilltoppers forced seven turnovers, leading to 11 points.
Going into the seven-minute media timeout the Hilltoppers led 29-14, benefiting from nine Tennesee State turnovers. McHenry and Lander led the Hilltoppers with eight and seven points respectively.
The Hilltoppers led 36-20 going into the final media timeout of the half. However, Head Coach Hank Plona called a timeout after the Tigers went on a 12-2 run, fueled by an eight-point performance by Travis Harper II. This cut the lead to 38-29 coming out of the media timeout.
Babacar Faye made two free throws, giving the Hilltoppers a 44-31 halftime lead. The Hilltoppers shot 59% on field goals, outscoring TSU despite trailing in rebounds 15-13.
Second Half
The Hilltoppers went on a 14-4 run in the first five minutes of the half thanks to seven points from Tyrone Marshall Jr. and four forced turnovers.
The Tigers went on a 5-0 run, cutting the Hilltopper lead to 67-45 at the 12-minute media timeout.
Going into the eight-minute media timeout, the Hilltoppers led 75-50. Between the two media timeouts, WKU outscored the Tigers 8-5.
At the four-minute media timeout, the Hilltoppers led 77-56 with four different players with over 10 points.
WKU closed out the night with an 84-60 victory.
Sports Reporter Nathan Mueller can be reached at [email protected].
