Hilltoppers Host Jax State at Diddle on Saturday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Hilltopper Basketball is set for game three of Conference USA competition this weekend and will host Jax State on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. CT in E.A Diddle Arena. WKU enters the matchup against the Gamecocks currently standing at 12-4 overall and 1-1 in CUSA play.

Game Info
WKU (12-4, 1-1) vs. Jax State (10-7, 2-0)
Saturday, Jan. 13 | 4 p.m. CT
E.A. Diddle Arena | Bowling Green, Ky.
Game Links: CBS Sports Network | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network | Live Stats | Tickets

Series History
Saturday will mark the fourth-ever meeting between WKU and Jax State. The Hilltoppers are 3-0 all time in the series dating back to 1939.

Overall                          3-0, WKU
Series began                 March 4, 1939
Last meeting                 Nov. 16, 2016
Current streak               3-0, WKU
Last Tops win                Nov. 16, 2016
Last Gamecocks win     N/A

H: 3-0 • A: 0-0 • N: 0-0
03/04/39     Bowling Green, Ky.     W, 56-43
11/27/78     Bowling Green, Ky.     W, 71-59
11/16/16     Bowling Green, Ky.     W, 74-67

Return to The Hill
Jax State head coach Ray Harper served as head coach for the Hilltoppers for four seasons from 2012-16, accumulating a 71-48 overall record (.597%). While at WKU, Harper helped lead the Tops to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012 and 2013.

2023-24 Conference Campaign
The Hilltoppers are coming off a narrow loss to Sam Houston, 78-74, on the road on Wednesday night. WKU defeated Liberty, 70-68, to open Conference USA play on Jan. 6. The Tops hold an even .500 (1-1) record in conference play and are in third place in the current CUSA standings.

Where The Tops Stack Up
WKU boasts the top-scoring offense in CUSA at 79.3 points per game. WKU has totaled 80 or more points in seven games this season, and 90 or more points in four games this season.

The Hilltoppers currently chart as the top rebounding team in the CUSA and rank 19^th nationally in rebounds with 41.4 per game. The team ranks 18^th in the nation in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to a 28.1% mark from range.

WKU currently ranks 39^th in the nation in bench points per game (28) and 46^th in the nation in forced turnovers per game (15.06).

Don McHenry
Junior guard Don McHenry currently leads the team in average points (15.1) and assists (40) while charting double-digit point totals in 14 of the team's 16 games. The native of Milwaukee is currently the CUSA's second-leading scorer and charts the conference's fourth-best FG% (min 5 FGM/G average).

→ Team-high 3-PT FG% (.383%)

→ 47-of-55 (.855%) mark from the FT stripe, good for best on the team for 5 or more attempts

→ CUSA Player of the Week honors (Dec. 18) following 30 points in win over Wright State

→ Has started all 16 outings for the Tops in 2023-24; leads team in average minutes (25.8)

→ Has shot .500% or better from the field in 10-of-16 games

Brandon Newman and Babacar Faye each rank top 10 in the CUSA in rebounding, at fourth and eighth respectively. Tyrone Marshall Jr. ranks second in the conference in blocks and fifth in steals.

Nationally Televised Tops
The Hilltoppers' game against Jax State will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network with Chris Hassel and Tre Demps on the call. 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.

Events and Promotions
Tickets to Saturday's game facing Jax State will start at $10 for walk ups and can be purchased using the link below.
$10 Tickets – MBB vs. Jax State – 1/13

Big Red Rascals members will receive free admission.

The 1980 Hilltopper Baseball team will be honored as a WKU Athletic Hall of Fame Team at Saturday's game. The team finished with a 47-13-1 overall record, while securing OVC regular-season and tournament championships. The Hilltoppers advanced to the NCAA South Region Championship and finished one-win-short of advancing to the College World Series.

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

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Players Mentioned

Babacar Faye

Tyrone Marshall Jr.

Don McHenry

Brandon Newman