Tops Visit Middle Tennessee on Saturday for 138th All-Time Meeting

WKU Game Notes | Middle Tennessee Game Notes

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball completes its first Conference USA road swing at rival Middle Tennessee at 5 p.m. CT Saturday in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.

The Hilltoppers dropped their first C-USA road game at UAB on Thursday. Middle Tennessee lost at home to Marshall on Thursday for its seventh straight loss.

WKU leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1914, by a 94-43 margin, although the Blue Raiders have won eight of the last 10, including seven of the last eight in Murfreesboro. Rick Stansbury is 1-4 in his career vs. the Blue Raiders.

GAME 16

WKU (9-6, 2-1 C-USA) at Middle Tennessee (4-12, 0-3 C-USA)
January 11, 2019 | 5 p.m. CT
Murphy Center | Murfreesboro, Tenn.

BROADCAST

Listen: Hilltopper Sports Network (WKLX 100.7 FM flagship), C-USA.tv Audio (free), TuneIn Radio (Randy Lee, pxp | Hal Schmitt, analysis)
Watch: CBS Sports Network (Ben Holden, pxp | Chris Walker, analysis)
Live Stats: Middle Tennessee Stats

TOP STORYLINES

• After having 10-plus turnovers in every prior game this season, WKU has had 10 turnovers or less in four straight games. WKU has not had four straight such games as far back as its turnover records go, to 1972-73.

• Freshman guard Jordan Rawls made his first career start at UAB on Thursday with senior Camron Justice limited to eight minutes with a back injury. Rawls scored 10 points and played the full 40 minutes.

• Since the injury to Charles Bassey, redshirt junior forward Carson Williams has led WKU in scoring and rebounding. He's averaging 17.2 points and 8.8 rebounds over the last five contests. Williams is shooting 60.5 percent from the field this season, which leads C-USA and ranks 26th nationally.

• Junior guard Josh Anderson has entered the starting lineup with Bassey out. After reaching double figures in two of the first nine games of the year, Anderson has scored at least 10 points in six straight contests.

• As of Friday, WKU ranked 43rd in the country in field-goal percentage (47.0), 12th in free-throw percentage (78.0), seventh in fouls per game (13.9), 51st in scoring offense (77.9 ppg) and 48th in blocks per game (45).

• WKU has made 39 more free throws (241) than its opponents have even attempted (202) through 15 games.

LAST GAME AGAINST MIDDLE TENNESSEE: FEBRUARY 14, 2019

WKU scored the first 13 points of the second half, rallying from a halftime deficit to take down rival Middle Tennessee 71-63 at E.A. Diddle Arena.

WKU notched its first home over Middle Tennessee since 2012 and improved its all-time rivalry advantage to 94-43.

Four Hilltoppers scored in double figures, led by sophomore guard Josh Anderson's 17 points and seven rebounds.

Redshirt junior guard/forward Jared Savage recorded his first double-double at WKU with 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

MED CENTER HEALTH

The 2019-20 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.

Tops Visit Middle Tennessee on Saturday for 138th All-Time Meeting

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Players Mentioned

Josh Anderson

Charles Bassey

Camron Justice

Jordan Rawls

Jared Savage

Carson Williams