Tops Continue Road Trip at UTEP on Saturday

EL PASO, Texas – Hilltopper Basketball continues its road trip this weekend with a battle against Conference USA opponent UTEP on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tipoff from Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas is slated for 8 p.m. CT.

WKU enters Saturday's game against the Miners standing at 13-5 overall and tied for third place in the current CUSA standings at 2-2. The Hilltoppers have won nine of the last 11 outings.

Game Info
WKU (13-5, 2-2) vs. UTEP (10-8, 1-2)
Saturday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. CT
Don Haskins Center | El Paso, Texas
Game Links: ESPN+ | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network | Live Stats

Series History
Saturday will mark the 10th meeting between WKU and UTEP in a series dating back to 1969. The Tops are currently 8-1 all-time facing the Miners.

H: 4-0 • A: 3-1 • N: 1-0
12/19/69           Lawrence, Kan.            W, 78-59
01/22/15           Bowling Green, Ky.       W, 71-66 (OT)
02/06/16          El Paso, Texas.              L, 89-93 (OT)
01/26/17          Bowling Green, Ky.        W, 65-62
02/01/18          El Paso, Texas.              W, 72-60
02/02/19          Bowling Green, Ky         W, 76-59
02/13/20          El Paso, Texas.              W, 67-62
02/04/23          Bowling Green, Ky.        W, 74-69
03/02/23          El Paso, Texas.             W, 73-68

2023-24 Conference Campaign
The Hilltoppers are coming off a 72-70 road loss at New Mexico State on Thursday night that saw WKU ahead by as many as 23 points in the second half. WKU led in the count for over 36 minutes of play, before the Aggies reclaimed the lead with 1:41 remaining for the first time since the opening minute and a half of regulation.

Where The Tops Stack Up
The Tops boast the top-scoring offense in the conference (78.8 PPG) and chart second in the nation in adjusted tempo (75.5 possessions per 40 min). WKU has totaled 80 or more points in eight 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 17^th in the nation in rebounds with 41.1 per game. WKU ranks first in the conference and 28^th in the nation in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to a 29.3% mark from range.

WKU is currently 48^th in the nation in forced turnovers per game (14.78 per game).

Junior guard Don McHenry currently leads the team in average points (14.5) and assists (46), and charts as the sixth-leading scorer in the CUSA. The native of Milwaukee currently holds the conference's fourth-best FG% (min 5 FGM/G average) with a .433% mark.

McHenry has posted the team's second-highest three-point FG% at .368% from range. The junior guard's 52-of-61 (.852%) mark from the stripe is good for the best on the team for five or more attempts.

Brandon Newman and Babacar Faye each rank top 10 in the CUSA in rebounding, while Tyrone Marshall Jr. ranks third in the conference in blocks and fifth in steals.

Where To Watch
The Hilltoppers' game at UTEP will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Mando Medina and Hooper Vint 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.

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