BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Hilltopper Basketball defeated the FIU, 105-91, on Thursday night in Diddle Arena. Dontaie Allen charted a career-best 30 points off 9-for-11 shooting from the field to help lift WKU to its third Conference USA victory and 14th win overall for the 2023-24 season.
With the win, the Hilltoppers improve to 14-6 overall and 3-3 in CUSA league play. WKU currently holds an unblemished 9-0 record at home this season.
Thursday served as Hilltopper Basketball's inaugural 'Wear Pink' game, with fans being given free pink shirts courtesy of Med Center Health and a special "I Suit Up For" moment of recognition in support of Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society. The team wore custom pink shooting shirts for pregame of Thursday's game, with the shirts being auctioned off to raise funds for The American Cancer Society.
Allen led the way for WKU, going for a career-high 30 points on 9-for-11 field goals in 33 total minutes of play. A total of five Hilltoppers recorded double figures on Thursday night, with Don McHenry finishing second in scoring with 17 points to go with a team-high six assists and four steals along with four rebounds.
Brandon Newman and Rodney Howard each charted double-digit point totals with 15 points and 12 points respectively, and both grabbed a team high of eight rebounds. Tyrone Marshall Jr. accounted for 10 points, five assists, three rebounds, a pair of blocks and a plus-21 plus/minus rating.
The second half saw WKU take control of momentum, as the team managed 56 points while connecting on 23-of-32 shots and a 70% clip from beyond the arc (7-10). The Hilltoppers averaged 1.3 points per possession.
After FIU connected on a three just over a minute into the game, WKU responded as Newman found McHenry for a three to tie the game at three apiece. WKU found its first lead of the night as Allen connected on a driving layup, and-one, to give the Tops a 6-3 lead with 18 minutes until the break.
Out of the first timeout, FIU tied the game at 9-9 with a three late in the shot clock. Teagan Moore recorded his first points of the night with a pair of free throws giving the Tops an 11-9 lead.
The Hilltoppers held the Panthers scoreless for 2:49 and gained an eight-point lead, 17-9, with 12:31 to play in the first half. A steal by McHenry led to a Newman flay-up to give WKU a nine-point lead, 23-14, at the 9:43 mark.
After the Panthers cut it to a one-possession game, a three by Newman put WKU over the 30-point mark and brought the lead back out to six, 32-26.
Marshall Jr. propelled over an FIU defender to ignite the crowd, and McHenry followed with a made basket to give the Tops a 38-33 lead with 3:45 until the half.
As the half expired, FIU notched a triple and WKU went into the locker room leading, 49-46.
After FIU struck first in the second period, McHenry was first to scratch the scoring column for the Tops with a layup to put WKU over the 50-point mark, 51-48. This sparked a 10-0 run, forcing the Panthers to burn a timeout just over two minutes into the period as WKU held a 59-48 lead.
Out of the timeout, the Panthers committed another turnover leading to an open jumper by Babacar Faye to extend the Hilltopper lead to 13, 61-48. Newman connected on the team's fourth made-three of the half, giving the Tops a 20-point lead, 75-55.
Marshall Jr. slammed it over an FIU defender, drawing a foul and converting on the and-one opportunity to give WKU a 15-point lead, 78-63. On the next possession, the Tops eclipsed 80 points with a Marshall Jr. three, and took a 24-point lead with a Marshall Jr.-to-Howard lob with eight minutes remaining in regulation.
Moore found Allen for a three with just over 90 seconds left as Allen hit the 30-point mark and WKU surpassed triple digits. WKU closed out the game and secured a 105-89 victory over FIU.
WKU continues its conference campaign next week and will return home on Thursday, Feb. 1 facing Sam Houston. Tipoff from Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky. is slated for 8 p.m. CT with ESPN+ set to broadcast.
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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