Game 17Â vs. North Texas Saturday, Jan. 15 | 3 p.m. CT | E.A. Diddle Arena Presented by Delta Dental |
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Records |  WKU (10-6, 2-1 C-USA) • North Texas (10-4, 3-1 C-USA) | ||||
Listen |  Randy Lee (play-by-play) | Hal Schmitt (analysis)  Hilltopper Sports Network (WKLX 100.7 FM flagship); C-USA.tv Audio; Varsity Network; The Hill at Home |
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Watch |  Chris Hassel (play-by-play) | John Giannini (analysis)  Stadium; WKU PBS |
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Live Stats | Â WKU Stats | ||||
Tickets | Â Single-Game Tickets | ||||
Promotions | Â 1970-71 Final Four Reunion (at halftime) Â Free retro 1971 "shirsey" to first 500 fans |
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Game Notes |  WKU Game Notes | North Texas Game Notes | ||||
Pregame Video | Â Coach Stansbury | Anderson/Hamilton | ||||
Social Media | Â @WKUBasketball ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball concludes its homestand against North Texas at 3 p.m. CT Saturday at E.A. Diddle Arena. The game will air on Stadium and locally in Bowling Green on WKU PBS.
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WKU has won two straight, including an 80-66 victory over Rice on Thursday. North Texas most recently edged Marshall on the road 69-65 on Thursday.
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The game is a rematch of the 2021 Conference USA championship game, which North Texas won in overtime. WKU is 23-7 all-time against the Mean Green, while head coach Rick Stansbury is 6-2 in his career against North Texas.
TOP STORYLINES
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• As of Friday, WKU ranks first in the country in fewest fouls per game (12.6), third in total blocks (102), fourth in blocks per game (6.4), 18th in total steals (146), 29th in steals per game (9.1), 30th in defensive rebounds per game (28.4), 34th in total assists (257) and 50th in field-goal percentage (47.3%).
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• According to Ken Pomeroy, WKU is playing its fastest adjusted tempo (70.5) since at least 1997, when the statistic begins. This is also the fastest tempo of Rick Stansbury's 20-year head coaching career.
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• The Hilltoppers have made a combined 30 of 65 (46.2%) 3-pointers in three Conference USA games.
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• Since returning from COVID-19 protocols on Dec. 11, Josh Anderson is averaging 15.7 points while shooting 59.3% from the field in the last seven games. He's also shot 55% (11 of 20) from beyond the arc and 93.5% (29 of 31) from the free-throw line.
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• WKU junior center Jamarion Sharp is the tallest player in college basketball at 7 feet, 5 inches. He's also the tallest player in the history of the Hilltopper program. Sharp leads the nation in total blocks (74) and blocks per game (4.6), is second in blocks percentage (18.1%) and dunks (41).
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• Since entering the starting lineup 12 games ago, Jamarion Sharp is averaging 9.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 54 of 69 (78.3%) from the field.
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• Sophomore guard Dayvion McKnight is the one of two players in the country averaging at least 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and 1.5 steals per game this year. He ranks sixth nationally in assists per game (6.6).
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LAST GAME AGAINST NORTH TEXAS: MARCH 13, 2021
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WKU's comeback effort fell short in the Conference USA Tournament championship.
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WKU came back from a 17-point deficit six minutes into the game to take a second-half lead, but was ultimately defeated by North Texas in a 61-57 overtime loss.
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A large second-half run took WKU from down 34-23 to up 48-41 with 2:57 to play. The Hilltoppers did not score again in regulation as the Mean Green netted three baskets to force overtime.
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North Texas' Javion Hamlet led the Mean Green, playing all 45 minutes and scoring 20 points.
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Josh Anderson led WKU in scoring with 14 points, shooting a perfect 7 for 7 from the charity stripe.
MED CENTER HEALTH
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The 2021-22 WKU Basketball season is proudly presented by Med Center Health. Med Center Health has served Southcentral Kentucky for more than 90 years, and its system of care includes six acute care hospitals, a comprehensive network of physician practices and clinics, and hundreds of area physicians offering care in dozens of specialties. From emergency treatment to preventative care, Med Center Health is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities it serves. Learn more at medcenterhealth.org.
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