When being on top of the hill isn’t high enough, you sit on top of the conference.
WKU mens basketball defeated the University of Texas El-Paso Miners Saturday, 78-71, advancing to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2013.
Before the game, it was announced that WKU guard Dontaie Allen had been ruled out, having left the team’s win Friday with a knee injury.
However, even without Allen, the Hilltoppers started the first half the way they ended the second half in their previous game against MTSU: Hot.
Opening up the game with a 17-4 run, the Hilltoppers defense shined, grabbing seven turnovers in the first ten minutes. However, the game very quickly shifted gears.
Although the Miners started the game 0-10 from the field, they converted on nine of their next 11 attempts, bringing the game within just a single point with under five minutes to go.
A once ferocious WKU offense had seemingly gone ice cold. In the span of nine minutes, they were on the receiving end of both a 14-5 and 12-3 run. During these runs, the Hilltoppers shot a lowly 5-14 from the field.
However, with their backs against the wall, facing a one-point deficit with just three minutes to play, a familiar offensive presence took over. WKU ended the first half on a 9-3 run, securing a four-point lead heading into the break.
The first half MVP for the Hilltoppers was junior guard Don McHenry. McHenry’s 10 points, two rebounds, and one assist on 3-5 shooting from the field led both the explosive start and end for the WKU offense.
Yet, the success of the Hilltopper scoring attempts can be attributed to more than just an individual player. WKU’s interior strength and size led to 75% of their first half production coming inside the paint.
UTEP found their production coming from senior guard Zid Powell. Powell tallied 10 points on 3-6 from the field, and 2-3 from beyond the arch. Eight of the guard’s 10 points came during an 80-second span, where Powell scored on three consecutive possessions for the Miners.
Heading into the half, the Hilltoppers squeaked out a 40-36 lead.
Team First Half Statistics:
WKU: 17-31 FG, 2-9 3FG, 4-4 FT | 17 Rebounds: 14 Defensive, three Offensive.
UTEP: 11-28 FG, 5-12 3FG, 9-12 FT | 16 Rebounds: 11 Defensive, five Offensive.
WKU could not bring their normal high tempo at the start of the second half. Opening up 1-8 from the field, with most of the misses coming off of good looks, the Miners took comfort in the speed of play, capitalizing with a 15-4 run to start the half.
In what was a rollercoaster of a game, the ride did not stop. Following UTEP’s run, they’d go on a five-minute scoring drought, giving the Hilltoppers a seven-point lead, on a 16-2 run for themselves.
The drive would not stop. With just under five minutes to play, WKU advanced their lead to 10, with help from a 20-4 run.
The Hilltopper offense was once again dominated by McHenry in the second half. The guard’s 15 points, two rebounds, and three steals sealed the WKU victory and conference championship. In total on the night, McHenry had 25 points on 9-16 from the field, 2-8 from three, with four rebounds, and four steals.
UTEP’s offense was still being led by Powell in half number two. Powell tallied 11 points in the half, giving him 21 points on the night.
Team Second Half Statistics:
WKU: 10-27 FG, 1-7 3FG, 17-23 FT | 23 Rebounds: 15 Defensive, eight Offensive.
UTEP: 12-32 FG, 4-12 3FG, 7-10 FT | 20 Rebounds: 13 Defensive, six Offensive.
With the win, the Hilltoppers claim their first C-USA title on their fourth attempt, and Coach Steve Lutz’s third straight conference title win.
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