Tops Wrap Non-Conference Play Hosting Abilene Christian on Saturday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Hilltopper Basketball closes non-conference competition for the 2023-24 regular season hosting Abilene Christian on Saturday, Dec. 30 at E.A. Diddle Arena. WKU enters the game against the Wildcats standing at 10-3 overall and riding a six-game winning streak after securing a 73-70 road win over California Baptist on Dec. 19.

The 10-3 record marks the best 13-game start to a season for the Hilltoppers since 2004-05. A win on Saturday would improve the Tops' win total to 11 and serve as the best mark through 14 games since the 2001-02 season.

Game Info
WKU (10-3) vs. Abilene Christian (5-7)
Saturday, Dec. 30 | 2 p.m. CT
E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
Game Links: ESPN+ | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network | Live Stats | Tickets

The 2023-24 Campaign
WKU improved to ten wins on the year with the road victory over Cal Baptist in California last week. The Hilltoppers are currently tied for first place in the CUSA following the victory over the Lancers.

The matchup against CBU on Dec. 19 served as the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Don (Still) Getting It Done
Don McHenry currently charts as the Hilltoppers' leading scorer with 15.1 points per game. The junior native of Milwaukee also leads the team in total assists with 34 (2.6 per game) and charts a team-high 3-point FG% with a .385% mark from range.

McHenry's 41-of-47 (.872%) mark from the charity stripe is good for third best on the team for five-or-more attempts and second best for 10-or-more. McHenry has shot .500% or better from the field in nine of the Hilltoppers' 13 games so far this season and has totaled double-digit points in 11-of-13 games for WKU.

McHenry is currently the CUSA's third-leading scorer. The junior guard's career-high 30 points in a 91-84 victory over Wright State on Dec. 12 and team-high 16 points in a 65-64 win at home over Austin Peay on Dec. 16 earned him CUSA Player of the Week honors on Dec. 18.

Starting all 13 outings for the Hilltoppers in 2023-24, McHenry leads the team in average minutes at 24.5 per game. A threat at both ends of the court, McHenry has also notched 10 steals on the year, good for fifth best on the team.

Where The Tops Stack Up
The Tops are currently tied for first place in the CUSA and boast the top-scoring offense in the conference at nearly 80 points per game. WKU has totaled 80 or more points in six games this season, and 90 or more points in four games this season.

The Hilltoppers rank 10th in the nation in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to a 26.5% mark from range. WKU charts as the top rebounding team in the CUSA and ranks 24^th nationally in rebounding with 41.7 per game.

WKU currently ranks 38^th in the nation in bench points per game (28.92) and 42^nd in the nation in forced turnovers per game (15.46).

Series History vs. Abilene Christian
Saturday will mark the third-ever meeting between WKU and Abilene Christian, and the first since Dec. 14, 1965. The Tops hold a 2-0 all-time record facing the Wildcats. The series began on Dec. 3, 1960, with the Tops edging out a 59-54 win at home.

H: 2-0 | A: 0-0 | N: 0-0
12/03/60 Bowling Green, Ky. W, 59-54
12/14/65 Bowling Green, Ky. W, 84-59

Saturday's game against Abilene Christian will stream live on ESPN+ with Jeff Hem and Jay Walton on the call. Hilltopper fans can tune in live and listen on 100.7-FM (WKLX) or The Varsity Network mobile app as Hal Schmitt and Randy Lee call the game on radio.

Follow the team on social media (@wkubasketball) for the latest news and updates on all things Hilltopper Basketball. Visit wkusports.com for more information.

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Players Mentioned

Don McHenry