Guards Khristian Lander and Don McHenry paved the way Thursday night at Diddle Arena, as the pair combined for 48 points in WKU Men’s Basketball’s 78-74 win against the University of Texas-El Paso.
Lander had a 28-point night, eclipsing his 23-point season high while McHenry had 20. The duo combined for 12 of the last 14 Hilltopper points.
“He [Lander] deserves a night like that,” Head Coach Hank Plona said. “He always helps us win.”
The Hilltoppers had one of their best shooting nights of conference play with a field goal percentage of 55%. Four of the seven Hilltopper threes came from Lander, with the other two coming from guard Enoch Kalambay and McHenry.
UTEP played their brand of basketball forcing 18 turnovers, having 14 steals. The Hilltoppers responded by forcing 17 of their own with a steal by Tyrone Marshall Jr. putting the game out of UTEP’s reach with 55 seconds to play.
“The late steal was huge,” Plona said. “He’s able to use his length and instincts and knock the ball loose, so he can guard anybody.”
First Half
The Hilltoppers led 8-5 with 15 minutes remaining in the half at the first media timeout. After allowing the Miners to go up 5-2 thanks in part to five turnovers, the Hilltoppers went on a 6-0 run thanks to threes from McHenry and Lander.
The Hilltoppers defense forced six turnovers including three shot-clock violations between timeouts, leading 17-16 at the media timeout with nine minutes to play in the half.
At the eight-minute timeout, the Miners led 20-19 after a 4-0 run gave them a 20-17 lead.
UTEP called a timeout leading 29-25 with four minutes to play in the first half. The Miners accumulated seven steals through the first 16 minutes, forcing 10 Hilltopper turnovers.
WKU took a 34-32 lead into the halftime break. The Hilltoppers shot 50% overall and 33% from the three in the half, led by Lander with 12 points.
Second Half
The Hilltoppers came out with an 8-1 run in the first 1:16 of the second half. UTEP called a timeout as the Hilltoppers stretched the lead to 42-33.
Going into the second media timeout the Hilltoppers led 51-49 with 11:25 to play. The Hilltoppers shot 41% from the three at the second media timeout. Lander led the team with eight in the half.
UTEP went on a 10-0 run to take a 59-54 lead off the back of two Hilltopper turnovers with 9:17 to play in the half.
The Hilltoppers responded with an 8-0 run spanning two minutes retaking a 62-59 lead with seven minutes left in the second half.
The Hilltoppers led 66-64 going into the last media timeout. Lander eclipsed his season high with 24 points with 3:47 to play.
Lander willed the Hilltoppers to a 72-68 lead with two physical layups with 1:39 to play. UTEP brought the game within one on a three from Otis Frasier III, silencing an electric Diddle crowd. He was fouled but failed to convert his free throw attempts.
Marshall Jr. forced a crucial turnover with 55 seconds remaining in the game, protecting the Hilltoppers 75-71 lead.