Hilltoppers Rally from 10-Point Deficit to Defeat Southern Miss 75-72

Saturday, February 8

E.A. Diddle Arena

6:30 p.m.

Western Kentucky University

-168,93 CUSA

Southern Miss

-718,39 CUSA

Southern Miss.

Western Ky.

Hilltoppers Rally from 10-Point Deficit to Defeat Southern Miss 75-72

2/8/2020 10:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Rick Stansbury Press Conference Camron Justice/Jared Savage Press Conference Photo Gallery Game Highlights

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball led for just three minutes and 22 seconds Saturday, but those minutes were in winning time.

The Hilltoppers (16-8 overall, 9-3 Conference USA) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit against Southern Miss, dominating the free-throw line and taking care of the ball in historic fashion in a 75-72 victory at E.A. Diddle Arena.

The victory guarantees WKU a spot in the top pod of Conference USA's upcoming Bonus Play, which is the last four games of the regular season that begins in two weeks.

"Give Southern Miss credit," WKU head coach Rick Stansbury said. "I thought they played exceptionally well, particularly in that first 20 minutes. They came in loose and made shots. Leading up to this game, and it's understandable, (Thursday's win over Louisiana Tech) was a really emotional game. The building was emotional, we were emotional. We left a lot on the court Thursday.

"I didn't think we had that edge … but those guys deserve credit for staying together, keep fighting and keep believing."

WKU started the game 4-for-25 from 3-point range against Southern Miss' zone, but made its final two attempts in the last 3:18.

The first was a corner 3 from redshirt senior guard/forward Jared Savage to put the Hilltoppers in front 65-63 with 3:18 to go – their first lead since the opening four minutes.

The last 3-pointer was the dagger, a tough shot from graduate senior guard Camron Justice with 25 seconds left that gave WKU a four-point cushion.

"Didn't shoot the ball well," Justice said. "They zoned us, daring us to shoot it. Unfortunately, we had a bad shooting night, but it came down to the wire. I think it challenged us mentally and physically. I think it was good for us in the end to fight back and win."

Southern Miss (7-18, 3-9) led 41-31 at the break, scoring seven of the last 10 in the frame while WKU made just 2 of 14 shots from long range.

The Hilltoppers opened the second half with a 6-0 run, and tied the game for the first time of the half at 8:15 on a basket by junior guard Josh Anderson.

Savage's 3 from the corner put WKU in front for the first time since the 16:13 mark of the first half, and after Southern Miss reclaimed the lead, a three-point play by redshirt junior forward Carson Williams put the Hilltoppers in front for good.

Justice, who was 1-for-9 from 3 at the time, sank his 10th attempt to ice the win.

"In the first half we settled for 3s, but in the second half we kind of got in a rhythm," Savage said. "Threw it in to Carson, got some inside-out 3s. We cleaned it up in the second half."

Williams led all scorers with 24 points, while Anderson added 16. Savage finished with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Justice chipped in 12 points.

WKU had 13 assists against just three turnovers – the program's fewest in a game since at least 1971-72, when full turnover stats became available. They also made 19 of 24 free throws.

LaDavius Draine paced Southern Miss with 21 points and 10 rebounds, hitting five 3-pointers.

The Hilltoppers go on the road to Texas for one last trip before Bonus Play begins the following week. They'll first visit UTEP at 8 p.m. CT Thursday, with the game again streaming on Stadium on Facebook.