WKU Game Notes | UTSA Game Notes
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball is back home for a pair of key games this week, starting against league-leading UTSA at 7 p.m. CT Thursday in Diddle Arena. The game will stream on Stadium on Facebook.
The Hilltoppers had a three-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a 62-50 loss at Louisiana Tech.
UTSA has won nine of its last 11 games, including a 74-73 win over Old Dominion on Saturday in which it trailed by 14 with about two minutes left. WKU leads the all-time series 3-2 but has lost two straight. Hilltopper head coach Rick Stansbury is 1-2 all-time against the Roadrunners.
GAME 22
UTSA (12-9, 6-2 C-USA) at WKU (11-10, 4-4 C-USA)
January 31, 2019 | 7 p.m. CT
E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
BROADCAST
Listen: Hilltopper IMG Sports Network (WKLX 100.7 FM flagship), WKUSports.tv (free), TuneIn Radio (Randy Lee, pxp | Hal Schmitt, analysis)
Watch: Stadium on Facebook (Noah Coslov, pxp | Tim Scarborough, analysis | Olivia Dekker, analysis)
Live Stats: WKU Stats
QUICK SHOTS
• WKU has had the lead in each of its four conference losses at halftime and led each of those defeats by at least nine points at one point. The Hilltoppers took their first three conference losses by a combined five points and held a lead of at least 15 points in each of those outings. The Hilltoppers had consecutive one-point losses for the first time since 1929-30.
• The Hilltoppers are 5-3 this season when trailing at halftime and just 6-7 when leading at halftime.
• Over the last four games, WKU has allowed just 62.5 points per game – nearly eight points below its season average for scoring defense.
• The Hilltoppers have held three straight opponents to 25 points or less in the first half.
• WKU is one of the youngest teams in the country, ranking 331st of 353 in experience, per Ken Pomeroy.
• The Hilltoppers have made a 3-pointer in 997 straight games dating back to March 15, 1987. WKU entered the season tied with Arkansas for the fourth-longest streak in the nation of consecutive games with a made 3. Only UNLV (1,039), Vanderbilt (1,031) and Duke (1,021) had longer streaks to start the year.
• WKU ranks 10th in the country in total blocks and 14th in blocked shots per game, and 16th in percentage of opponents' shots blocked, according to Ken Pomeroy. Its average of 5.2 blocks per game would be its highest on record. Charles Bassey ranks second in C-USA in blocks per game (2.2).
• WKU freshman center Charles Bassey has more blocks himself (47) this year than 55 Division I teams.
• As of Tuesday, Charles Bassey was ranked third in the nation among freshmen in total blocks (47) and field-goal percentage (64 percent), and second for total rebounds (203).
• As of Tuesday, Charles Bassey ranked in the top 50 nationally in double-doubles (24th), field-goal percentage (14th), blocks per game (22nd), total blocks (17th), rebounds per game (27th), offensive rebounds per game (41st), defensive rebounds per game (45th) and total rebounds (21st).
• Charles Bassey is 1 of 2 players in the nation with at least 200 rebounds, 45 blocks and 20 steals.
TICKETS
WKU Ticket Office: Single-game tickets for the UTSA game remain available in person at the WKU Ticket Office, by phone at 1-800-5-BIGRED or online at WKUTickets.com.
PROMOTIONS
• 11th piece of 16-piece 100th season commemorative poster (Dalano Banton/Dwight Smith) for first 3,000 fans
• Faculty and Staff Night: Facutly and staff receive ONE discounted ticket for the game at the WKU box office in Diddle Arena prior to gameday. Must show valid WKU ID. Buy additional tickets in advance by calling the WKU ticket office. Offer not valid on gameday.
• Most Valuable Professors recognition
LAST GAME AGAINST UTSA: FEBRUARY 3, 2018
WKU could never get anything going from the outset, falling 74-63 at UTSA. The Roadrunners scored the first seven points of the game, built a 19-5 lead and never looked back. WKU missed its first nine shots.
MED CENTER HEALTH
The 2018-19 WKU Basketball season is presented by Med Center Health. With The Medical Center at its core, Med Center Health has served Southcentral Kentucky for more than 90 years, and its system of care includes six acute care hospitals, a complete network of immediate to emergency services and services in dozens of specialties. Whether it is emergency treatment for heart attack victims or preventative programs to improve the health of the communities it serves, Med Center Health is committed to providing the highest level of care and service.
How to follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Basketball, follow the team's social media channels, @WKUBasketball on Twitter, @WKUBasketball on Instagram, and WKU Basketball on Facebook.
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