Dec 15, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) - Mike Wells scored a career-high 24 points in a rare start and freshman Patrick Sparks had 20 as Western Kentucky defeated West Alabama 103-40 Saturday.
Western Kentucky (7-2) scored the first 13 points and took a 56-16 halftime lead over the Division II opponent. The Hilltoppers built their big lead on effective outside shooting, hitting 19-of-30 shots (63.3 percent) from the field, including 9-of-16 from 3-point range.
Wells scored 21 points in the first half. The junior guard started in place of Derek Robinson, who sat out with a hip injury. The Hilltoppers were also without center Chris Marcus, who is out with a stress fracture on his left foot.
The Hilltoppers forced 23 West Alabama turnovers and held the Tigers to 14-of-49 shooting (28.6 percent) from the field for the game. The Tigers (4-5) hit just 2-of-16 3-pointers.
Western Kentucky hit a season-high 13 3-point shots, including five by Sparks and three by Wells. The Hilltoppers connected on 36-of-65 shots (55.4 percent) for the game and outrebounded West Alabama 46-23.
Todor Pandov added 11 points for Western and David Boyden had 10.
Steven Sims and Richard Stone scored 10 points apiece to lead West Alabama.
Sports Information Game Notes:
* first career start for Mike Wells, who finished with career-high 24 points, was also high point total for a Hilltopper this season, and, Wells' 5 assists was a personal best for him as well and 7 rebounds equalled his career best
* freshman Patrick Sparks betters the career-high 19 he had last time out at Austin Peay last Saturday with 20 this afternoon
* first time this season WKU has had two 20-point scorers in a game
* career-high 9 rebounds for Todor Pandov
* second 100-pt game by WKU this season (beat Murray State 101-77 on Nov. 24)
* 63-point margin of victory 4th highest in WKU history and widest margin in 35 years -- since 66-pt win (123-57) over Tampa (also in Diddle Arena -- the Arena record) on Dec. 10, 1966
* senior captain Derek Robinson missed the game nursing a hip injury suffered in practice Thursday (was listed as available, but plans were not to play him unless necessary)
* 10 of 11 Toppers who played in the game scored and all 11 were credited with rebounds
* season-high 55.4% FG shooting
* 13 three-point FGs improve season total to 93 (10.3 per game) -- 13 equalls 3rd highest single game total in WKU record books (school record is 15) and 2nd highest total in Diddle Arena (record is 14)
* 5th time in 9 games with 10-or-more threes and 5th time in last 7 games.
