The Hilltoppers finish the regular season 18-13 overall and 11-9 in Conference USA play.
HOWÂ ITÂ HAPPENED
- WKU jumped out to a 6-2 start behind an LJ Hackman free throw, a Blaise Keita dunk and a Teagan Moore 3-pointer. After FIU answered with a free throw and a dunk, Moore and Ryan Myers each connected from deep to extend the Hilltoppers' lead to 12-6 at the 16:05 mark.
- The Panthers responded with a 22-6 run to take a 28-18 advantage with 8:28 left in the half. WKU's points during that stretch came from a Jack Edelen three, an Armelo Boone layup and a Leeroy Odiahi free throw.
- Grant Newell took over late in the half, scoring the final 15 points for the Hilltoppers. He cut the deficit to five with 6:09 remaining after six free throws, a dunk and a layup, but FIU closed with a 12-5 spurt to take a 45-33 lead into halftime. Newell added a fadeaway jumper and a 3-pointer during the stretch.
- FIU carried that momentum into the second half, opening with a 10-3 run to push its lead to 57-36 by the first media timeout. WKU's only points during that span came from three free throws by Terrion Murdix and Boone. The Hilltoppers answered with a quick 6-0 run to cut the margin to 15, but the Panthers responded immediately with five straight points to make it 63-44 at the 12:24 mark.
- Ryan Myers provided a late spark, scoring 12 of WKU's final 23 points with two treys, a pair of midrange jumpers and a layup, but FIU maintained control down the stretch to secure a 92-67 victory.
NOTABLES
- WKU closes the regular season with an 18-13 overall record and an 11-9 mark in Conference USA play.
- The Hilltoppers' starting lineup featured Terrion Murdix, LJ Hackman, Teagan Moore, Grant Newell and Blaise Keita. Announced attendance at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center was 804.
- Three Hilltoppers scored in double figures. Newell led the way with 17 points, followed by Ryan Myers with 15 and Armelo Boone with 13.
- Newell tallied 15 of his 17 points in the first half, finishing 4-of-10 from the field and 8-of-11 at the free throw line. He added two rebounds and a steal in 29 minutes.
- Coming off the bench, Myers contributed 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while also adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal in 23 minutes.
- Boone provided 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting and 5-of-8 from the line, along with eight rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.
- WKU held statistical advantages in points off turnovers (14-11), fast-break points (12-10), bench points (38-26) and steals (9-8).
NEXT UP
- The No. 3-seeded Hilltoppers turn their attention to the Conference USA Championships in Huntsville, Alabama. WKU will face No. 6-seeded Kennesaw State in Thursday's quarterfinals. Tipoff at Propst Arena on March 12 is set for 8 p.m. CT, with the game airing on ESPN+. All-session passes can be purchased HERE.
How to follow WKU Hilltopper Basketball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKUBasketball on Instagram and X.
