(Photo by Savannah Philpot/WKU Athletics)
HUNTSVILLE, AL – After leading for the majority of the game, the WKU men’s basketball team advanced in the CUSA tournament following their 89-69 victory over New Mexico State at VBC Propst Arena in Alabama. The Hilltoppers will now prepare to take on the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee this afternoon at 2 PM CT on CBS Sports Network.
With the win, WKU improves to 20-11 on the season, marking the Hilltoppers’ 48th all-time 20-win season – seventh most in college basketball history.
For the Hilltoppers, senior forward Rodney Howard led the way, scoring a career-high 20 points while adding five rebounds and three blocks. Other scorers for WKU included, Dontaie Allen (13 PTS), Enoch Kalambay (12 PTS), Khristian Lander (10 PTS), Brandon Newman (10 PTS), Tyrone Marshall Jr (8 PTS), Don McHenry (5 PTS), Teagan Moore (4 PTS), Tyler Olden (3 PTS), Jaylen Dorsey (2 PTS), and Babacar Faye (2 PTS).
WKU had just six turnovers on the night, out-rebounded New Mexico State, 37-36, and the WKU bench outscored New Mexico State’s, 51-27. The Hilltoppers also outscored the Aggies by 16 points at the charity stripe, as WKU shot 23-31 for 74% and the Aggies went 7-16 for 44%.
Seeking their first CUSA Championship Game appearance since 2020-21, the Hilltoppers face a short turnaround with a 2 p.m. CT tipoff vs. Middle Tennessee Friday. Middle Tennessee defeated 2-seed Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night.