BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Costly turnovers and poor outside shooting worked against WKU Hilltopper Basketball in a 66-62 loss to Middle Tennessee on Saturday night at an over-capacity E.A. Diddle Arena.
Â
The Hilltoppers (14-6 overall, 6-1 Conference USA) shot 52.6 percent in the second half and made 25 of 31 free throws, but Middle Tennessee (14-5, 6-1) got 44 combined points from seniors Nick King and Giddy Potts to claim the road win.
Â
That snapped WKU's seven-game winning streak and spoiled the atmosphere of a Diddle crowd of 7,759 – the second-largest since the arena's renovation in 2002, behind only 8,118 against Middle Tennessee in the 2003 Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
Â
The Hilltoppers remain tied for the lead in the C-USA standings.
Â
The Blue Raiders used a 12-2 run late in the first half to open a 29-22 advantage at the break, and although WKU cut into the lead early in the second half, MTSU still led 55-48 with 5:25 left.
Â
The Hilltoppers were within 60-58 with 1:16 remaining on a putback by senior forward Justin Johnson, but Middle Tennessee got a putback dunk and then put the game away at the free-throw line.
Â
Senior forward Dwight Coleby led WKU with 19 points, and Johnson finished with 15 points and nine rebounds. Freshman guard Taveion Hollingsworth finished with 12 points.
Â
WKU shot 43.9 percent from the field but went just 1 of 9 from the 3-point line and netted just 18 field goals in the game.
Â
King paced Middle Tennessee with 28 points and nine rebounds on 11-of-21 shooting.
WKU continues its homestand against Marshall at 6 p.m. CT Jan. 27 at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Western Kentucky University Athletics
- Champions Climb Here
- WKU Athletics
- Athletic Director
- Academic Services
- Annual Report
- Athletic Communications
- Athletic Hall of Fame
- Athletic Training
- Big Red
- CLIMB Program - NIL
- Compliance
- Facilities
- Financial Reports
- For Students
- Student Employment
- Forms/Requests
- Book Big Red
- Donation Requests
- Site Feedback
- For Fans
- Hilltopper Highlights
- Gameday Promotions
- Alumni Tailgates
- Big Red's Rascals
- Basketball Gameday
- Football Gameday
- Mobile Tickets
- Travel Center
- Tickets
- Give
