| Game 12 vs. Rice Thursday, December 29 | 6 p.m. CT | Bowling Green, Ky. Season presented by Med Center Health |
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| Records | WKU (8-3, 0-0 C-USA) • Rice (9-3, 0-1 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 |
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| Watch | Steve Schlanger (play-by-play) | Tim Scarborough (analysis) | Lexi Schweinert (sideline) ESPN+ |
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| Live Stats | WKU MBB Stats | ||||
| Tickets | WKU Tickets | ||||
| Game Notes | WKU Game Notes | Rice Game Notes | ||||
| Most Recent Media | N/A | ||||
| Social Media | @WKUBasketball  | @WKUBasketball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
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WKU wrapped up non-conference play with a tight game at South Carolina last Thursday. Rice defeated Jarvis Christian at home prior to the holiday break and is 0-1 in league action with an early loss at Middle Tennessee.
The Hilltoppers are 8-2 all-time against Rice, with a 5-1 mark at home, winning the last six contests. Head coach Rick Stansbury is a perfect 7-0 against the Owls.
PROMOTIONS
- Camper Night: All 2022 Hilltopper Basketball kids camp campers receive free admission.
- Baby Race presented by Norton Children's: Email wkusports@wku.edu by noon Thursday to enter.
- Big Red Rascals Night: Big Red Rascals members receive free admission.
- Game presented by Planet Fitness
Overall History: WKU leads 8-2
Series Record at Location: WKU leads 5-1
Last Meeting: WKU 80, Rice 66 | January 13th, 2022 | Bowling Green, Ky.
A dominant second half propelled WKU Hilltopper Basketball to an 80-66 win over Rice at E.A. Diddle Arena.
The Hilltoppers held the Owls to 24 points in the second half and just 1-for-9 from the 3-point line after the break.
That helped turn a 13-point deficit in the first half into WKU's seventh straight victory over Rice.
After making 7 of 18 3-pointers in the first half, Rice struggled with 29.6% shooting after halftime and couldn't keep the Hilltoppers off the free-throw line.
WKU made 17 of 22 shots from the charity stripe and racked up 21 assists on 28 make baskets with just eight turnovers.
Jairus Hamilton led all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while fifth-year senior guard Josh Anderson scored 17 points off the bench and made all 11 of his free throws.
Dayvion McKnight finished with 13 points, a career-high 12 assists and five rebounds, and Camron Justice and Jamarion Sharp each scored 12 points. Mylyjael Poteat paced Rice with 15 points.
TOP STORYLINES
- Over the last three games, Dayvion McKnight is averaging 28.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 70.8% (34-48) from inside the arc and 85% from the charity stripe.
- As of Wednesday, WKU is second in blocks per game (6.1). Jamarion Sharp leads the country in total blocks (49) and blocks per game (4.5). Luke Frampton is third in the country in 3-point percentage (54.2%).
- In WKU's win over Wright State, Dayvion McKnight became the ninth player in college basketball since 2010-11 to log at least his stat line or better: 32 points, three assists, four steals, four rebounds and 76% FG.
- Dayvion McKnight became the first Hilltopper since 2000 to log seven steals when he did so at Austin Peay on Nov. 30.
- With 13 blocks against Indianapolis on Nov. 15, the Hilltoppers broke the program's record for blocks in a single game.
- In WKU's 127-61 rout of Kentucky State on Nov. 12, the team broke numerous 3-point shooting records for both the program and in NCAA DI history.
- Three Hilltoppers were named to the Conference USA Preseason All-Conference team: Dayvion McKnight, Emmanuel Akot & Jamarion Sharp.
- Jamarion Sharp is the tallest player in college basketball for the second season in a row at 7 feet, 5 inches. He's also the tallest player in the history of the Hilltopper program. WKU has seven players who are 6-foot-7 or taller and is one of the country's tallest teams.
MED CENTER HEALTH
The 2022-23 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.
