| Game 13 at Middle Tennessee Saturday, December 31 | 3 p.m. CT | Murfureesboro, Tenn. Season presented by Med Center Health |
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| Records | WKU (8-4, 0-1 C-USA) • MTSU (8-5, 1-1 C-USA) | ||||
| Listen | Hilltopper Sports Network (WKLX 100.7 FM flagship); C-USA.tv Audio; Varsity Network Randy Lee (pxp) | Hal Schmitt (analysis) |
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| Watch | CBS Sports Network Alex Del Barrio (pxp) | Mike O'Donnell (analysis) |
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| Live Stats | Middle Tennessee Stats | ||||
| Tickets | Purchase | ||||
| Game Notes | WKU Game Notes | Middle Tennessee Game Notes | ||||
| Most Recent Media | Interim HC Phil Cunningham Rice Postgame | Player Rice Postgame | ||||
| Social Media | @WKUBasketball  | @WKUBasketball  | Facebook  | YouTube  |
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Both teams will be looking for a fresh league win as the Hilltoppers fell to Rice 81-78 in its conference opener on Thursday night and MTSU was defeated at Charlotte.
WKU has a storied history with the Blue Raiders, leading the all-time series 97-45. Hilltopper head coach Rick Stansbury is 4-6 against Middle Tennessee.
WKU VS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE SERIES BREAKDOWN
Overall History: WKU leads 97-45
Series Record in Murfreesboro: WKU leads 39-28
Last Meeting: Middle Tennessee 69, WKU 52 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | February 26, 2022
A shorthanded WKU Hilltopper Basketball squad didn't have enough offensive firepower to complete its fifth straight road win, falling 69-52 at Middle Tennessee.
The Hilltoppers shot just 31% from the field, while Middle Tennessee made enough plays to finish 15-0 at the Murphy Center this season and clinch the C-USA East Division.
WKU was without starters Jairus Hamilton (knee) and Luke Frampton (mononucleosis).
WKU led 7-2 early and still at 12-11 after a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Dayvion McKnight at the 14:50 mark. The Blue Raiders went on a 7-1 run, going up 18-13 after a 3 by Camryn Weston.
The Hilltoppers' last lead of the half came at 21-20 after a basket by fifth-year senior guard Josh Anderson, but Middle Tennessee scored seven of the last night of the half to build a 39-30 advantage at the break.
The Tops kept fighting and used a 10-2 burst to pull back within four at 51-47 after three free throws by graduate senior guard Camron Justice.
Middle Tennessee scored two straight buckets in response and the lead swelled in the final minutes.
McKnight led WKU with 13 points, while Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds. Justice finished with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Junior center Jamarion Sharp had eight points, 11 rebounds and five blocks before fouling out.
Sophomore guard Sherman Brashear was one of those players who had his opportunity Saturday. He made his third start of the season with a shorthanded roster, scoring nine points on three 3-pointers with four rebounds.
Eli Lawrence led Middle Tennessee with 15 points.
TOP STORYLINES
- Over the last four games, Dayvion McKnight is averaging 25.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 67.8% (40-59) from inside the arc and 86.4% from the charity stripe.
- Head coach Rick Stansbury missed Thursday night's game due to a health issue. Associate head coach Phil Cunningham stepped in in the interim as he did before in 2021, picking up two wins at Middle Tennessee.
- The last time WKU faced Middle Tennessee, the Hilltoppers took their sole loss of February 2022, going 7-1 on the month.
- As of Friday, WKU is eighth in blocks per game (5.9). Jamarion Sharp leads the country in total blocks (53) and blocks per game (4.4). Luke Frampton is fourth in the country in 3-point percentage (53.8%).
- 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.
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.
