Double-digit nights from five Hilltoppers helped push WKU Men’s Basketball to an 82-70 win over Tennessee Tech for its season opener in Diddle Arena.

Senior forward Grant Newell and Redshirt Sophomore Teagan Moore led with 16 points. 

“It wasn’t just me, it was a team effort. I tried to do as much as I could at the beginning,” Newell said.

Despite shooting 2-11 from three-point range and 26-62 from the floor, WKU stayed in control nearly the whole game, leading for 38 minutes with just three lead changes and two ties early on. The Hilltoppers found success from the free-throw line, shooting 28-35.

“Getting to the free-throw line is a good thing, and when we make a lot more free throws than the other team shoots. That’s usually a recipe for success,” Head Coach Hank Plona said.

It was a bench-heavy rotation for Plona, with only two starters playing over 20 minutes. 46 of the Hilltoppers’ 82 points came off the bench. 

“There are no starters on this team quite yet. Just because you started the game doesn’t mean you will start the second half,” Plona said.

Off the bench, forward Bryant Selebangue, guard Ryan Meyers, and guard Terrion Murdix contributed double-digit points with 14,11 and 13, respectively.

“He has been the best player back all five days since we played at UAB. When he has that confidence, he has the ability to be the Terrion Murdix he knows he is,” Plona said.

The Hilltoppers will take on Eastern Kentucky in Richmond next Monday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.