RUSTON, La. – Hilltopper Basketball returns to road play this week and will travel to face Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. CT. WKU enters the matchup against current Conference USA leader LA Tech standing at 15-7 overall and 4-4 in CUSA league play.
Game Info
WKU (15-7, 4-4) vs. LA Tech (16-6, 6-1)
Wednesday, Feb. 7 | 6 p.m. CT
Thomas Assembly Center | Ruston, La.
Game Links: ESPN+ | 100.7-FM (WKLX)/Varsity Network | Live Stats
Series History
vs. LA Tech (21-21)
H: 13-6 • A: 6-11 • N: 2-4
LAST 5
02/23/23… Bowling Green, Ky. …W, 76-66
01/19/23… Ruston, La. …L, 74-85
03/10/22… Frisco, Texas …L, 57-59
01/01/22… Ruston, La. …L, 73-74
03/25/21… Frisco, Texas …L, 65-72
The Game at a Glance
Hilltopper Basketball (15-7, 4-4) travels to Ruston, La. on Wednesday for a matchup with CUSA leader Louisiana Tech slated for 6 p.m. CT. The Tops enter the game having secured an 88-65 win over rival Middle Tennessee last Saturday night to earn the team's fourth conference victory for the 2023-24 season.
Wednesday will mark the 43rd all-time meeting between WKU and LA Tech. The game against the Bulldogs will see the CUSA's top-two scoring offenses go head-to-head, as WKU prepares to battle a first-place standing Bulldogs team that has secured six straight wins. The outing will also feature two of the conference's top scorers in Don McHenry and Daniel Batcho. McHenry is currently the third-leading scorer in CUSA, while LA Tech's Batcho currently charts fifth in scoring with 15 PPG. The redshirt junior big from France also charts first in rebounding, currently averaging 10.5 boards per contest.
WKU and LA Tech enter the game with an even 21-21 all-time record in a series dating back to 1928. Despite previously defeating the Bulldogs, 76-66, at home in Diddle Arena last season, the Tops have fallen in four of the last five outings facing the CUSA foe and will look to secure a second consecutive victory over LA Tech on Wednesday.
Where The Tops Stack Up
WKU currently stands at 4-4 in the CUSA standings and holds a 15-7 record overall. The Tops boast the top-scoring offense in the conference (80.7 PPG) and chart 41st in the nation in scoring. WKU has totaled 80 or more points in 11 games this season, and 90 or more points in five games.
WKU ranks first in the nation in adjusted tempo (75.5 possessions per 40 min). The Tops currently chart as the top rebounding team in the CUSA and rank 27th nationally in rebounds with 40.0 per game. WKU is 40th in the nation in three-point percentage defense, limiting teams to a 30.6% mark from range. WKU is 43rd in the nation in forced turnovers per game (14.55/G) and 37th in the nation in bench points per game (27.41).
Junior guard Don McHenry currently leads the team in average points and is the CUSA's third-leading scorer (15.4 PPG). McHenry leads the team in assists (60) and ranks 10th in CUSA for AVG assists. The junior from Milwaukee currently holds the third-best FG% in the CUSA with a .459% mark from the field and fourth-best FT% with a .833% mark (60-of-72) from the stripe.
Starting all 22 outings for the Hilltoppers in 2023-24, McHenry leads the team in average minutes at 26.8 per contest. McHenry has notched 19 steals on the year, good for third best on the team.
Tyrone Marshall Jr. ranks top-10 in CUSA in steals and blocks, while leading the team in both categories at 34 and 25 respectively. Brandon Newman and Babacar Faye both chart top-10 in the conference for rebounding.
Televised Tops
The Hilltoppers' game against LA Tech will stream live on ESPN+ with Lyn Rollins and Victor Howell 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.
Social Tops
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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