WKU Men’s Basketball outpaced Tennessee State in a high-scoring 95-82 win Sunday, bringing the Hilltoppers to 3-0 on the season.
Both teams scorched the nets, with the Hilltoppers shooting 55% from the field to Tennessee State’s 41%. The teams also had success getting to the line, as they shot a combined 66 free throws.
It was more difficult than the final score suggests, as the Tigers cut the lead to single digits multiple times, even trailing by just three with just over 10 minutes to go in the second half. But the Hilltoppers immediately countered with an 11-0 run to go up 14, effectively putting the game away.
A Prolific Offense
The Hilltopper offense put on an inspiring performance, scoring 95 points, with 62 points in the paint. Sophomore guard Teagan Moore again led the team in scoring, putting up 20 points, with 14 of those in the lane.
The fast break offense has been a strength through three games, as the Hilltoppers dominated in transition, outscoring the Tigers 26-14. Ten Hilltopper players scored in this game, proving this is a deep team that can put 10 different players in the rotation.
The Hilltopper bench contributed 62 points, the most this season, led by senior forward Bryant Selebangue with 12 points.
Clutch time Defense
To quote former President of the United States Bill Clinton, “If you live long enough, you’ll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you’ll be a better person. It’s how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit.”
This quote must have been ringing in the head of senior forward Leeroy Odiahi, who is from Ireland, who stepped up following a difficult game against Eastern Kentucky to score seven points, along with playing excellent defense.
“In winning time, he makes plays,” Head Coach Hank Plona said. “He’s improving, he’s tough, he’s not scared, and I thought he did a great job. He was fired up; he brought some energy to the game.”
Odiahi helped set the tone on the defensive side in the second half, holding the Tigers scoreless for several stretches, including a five-minute stretch late in the game.
The clutch time defense this team has shown late in games this season bodes well as the Hilltoppers gear up for the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas.
Same Struggles
The issue has been the same every week, but it has yet to hurt the team in the win-loss column. The Hilltoppers shot 2-15, their fifth straight game of sub-25 percent shooting. Senior guard Cam Haffer was the only Hilltopper to hit a three, shooting 2-5 from behind the line.
The poor shooting from three against Tennessee State likely can be marked up to scheme, as the Tigers are top three in the country at defending the three, hence the Hilltoppers attacking the paint and scoring 62 paint points.
“This was not going to be a game where you try and hunt jump shots, they pressure the ball, the paint is open,” Plona said. “We have to win the game that’s in front of us; we don’t have to prove anything to anybody.”
The poor shooting from three has yet to cost the Hilltoppers, provided they continue to be a team that scores in the paint at will.
The Outlook
The win is another step forward for the Hilltoppers through their non-conference slate. Next up is Bethel (Tn.) at Diddle Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The match against the Wildcats is another opportunity to get better, and for Hank Plona to figure out this rotation before a huge test against Vanderbilt in the Bahamas.
