Hilltoppers, Lady Toppers Usher in New Season at Hilltopper Hysteria

Friday, October 13

E.A. Diddle Arena

7 p.m.

Western Kentucky University

Hilltopper Hysteria

Photo by: Steve Roberts, WKU Athletics

Hilltoppers, Lady Toppers Usher in New Season at Hilltopper Hysteria

10/13/2017 9:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball

POST-HYSTERIA HILLTOPPER INTERVIEWS

RICK STANSBURY | TAVEION HOLLINGSWORTH | MAREK NELSON | JAKE OHMER

POST-HYSTERIA LADY TOPPER INTERVIEWS

IVY BROWN | SIDNEE BOPP

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Basketball season returned to The Hill on Friday night as WKU hosted its annual tip-off event, Hilltopper Hysteria presented by local McDonald's, on an exciting Homecoming weekend at E.A. Diddle Arena.

The Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball programs were on display for two hours, and the night featured player and coach introductions, scrimmages by both programs, shooting challenges, performances by the WKU Cheerleaders and Topperettes and an autograph session to end the festivities.

In the men's scrimmage, the White team pulled away for a 52-38 victory over the Red. Senior Dwight Coleby led the White with 20 points on 10-of-12 shooting, along with four rebounds. Freshman Josh Anderson added 14 points, and senior Darius Thompson had seven points and eight assists. Freshman Jake Ohmer chipped in seven points and seven assists.

Junior Jared Savage paced the Red squad with 11 points, while freshman Taveion Hollingsworth had 10 points and five assists. Sophomore Moustapha Diagne finished with eight points and five rebounds.

In the women's scrimmage, the White team pushed past the Black team late for a 38-29 victory. Freshman Nichel Tampa paced the White squad with 11 points and three assists, while freshman Raneem Elgedawy added 10 points and four rebounds. Senior Ivy Brown tallied eight points and five boards for the White team.

Senior Tashia Brown led the Black team with nine points, while freshman Sherry Porter and junior Sidnee Bopp each chipped in six points. Sophomore Arame Niang added four points and six rebounds.

The team of Ohmer, Lady Topper sophomore Whitney Creech and a pair of WKU students defeated Hollingsworth, Bopp and another pair of students in the Shooting Stars Challenge by being the quickest squad to make a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and half-court shot.

In a Minute to Win It contest to see who could score the most points in one minute, the team of Thompson and Tashia Brown defeated Hilltopper senior Justin Johnson and Ivy Brown to win a prize for a lucky crowd section.

The Hilltoppers host two exhibitions at Diddle Arena against Campbellsville on Nov. 1 and Cumberland University on Nov. 7. Both games tip at 7 p.m. The regular season begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at home against Missouri State.

The Lady Toppers open the season with an exhibition against Union (Tenn.) at E.A. Diddle Arena at 7 p.m. Nov. 2. They open the regular season with a premier home matchup against traditional power Notre Dame on Nov. 14.

Season tickets are now available for Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball! Season tickets start at $149 each for the men and $40 for the women. The #SelloutDiddle campaign is in full force and less than 1,300 men's tickets remain for this season. Family Plan tickets are available for Lady Topper Basketball in the 200-level of Diddle Arena for only $25 each when purchased in groups of four or more. Don't miss the excitement of Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball! Order your tickets now by visiting WKUTickets.com or call 1-800-5-BIGRED.

For more information on WKU Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the teams via social media @WKUBasketball and @LadyTopperHoops on Twitter and Instagram and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUBasketball and facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball.

Hilltopper Hysteria is presented by local McDonald's. Hilltop Club, off-campus student housing, is an associate sponsor of the event.