MTSU 69, WKU 60 – final

Eighty years is a long time.

On Thursday, Western Kentucky found that all out the hard way.

James Washington finished with a game-high 24 points as MTSU used a mammoth 25-2 run to dispatch of WKU for the third straight time, 69-60 at E.A. Diddle Arena.

The win marks the first time since 1930 that Middle Tennessee has won three straight games over WKU.

“When we got down, we reverted back to the body language we’ve seen in the past and we struggled to handle adversity,” WKU coach Ken McDonald said. “This series is so lopsided (in WKU’s favor) so three games is three games. We have a chance to play Middle again.

“I’m disappointed that we had an opportunity to work double time in terms of the bye, and they’re up now. We’ve got to handle our own business and not get caught up (in the losing streak).”

The loss also gives MTSU (13-12, 8-4 Sun Belt) a 2 ½ game lead over WKU (10-13, 5-6) for second place in the Sun Belt East – a spot that also comes with a first-round bye in the season-ending Sun Belt Tournament.

And while McDonald didn’t want to make a big deal of the past three games against MTSU, Blue Raiders coach Kermit Davis took the opposite approach.

“We have so much respect for Western’s program and I’ve been up here a lot and had some long trips back to Murfreesboro,” Davis said. “The game does mean a lot to me personally, it means a lot to our team and our fans.

“We’ll enjoy it while it lasts, but we know Western Kentucky will be right back.”

 

For full coverage, see Friday’s Daily News

MTSU 50, WKU 36 – 7:58 left

The Blue Raiders still handing it to the Hilltoppers on their home court here.

WKU 2 of 14 from the floor in the second half, and showed little to no emotion over the first 10 minutes of the frame.

MTSU 45, WKU 30 – 12:40 left

Blue Raiders open the half on a 16-2 run as WKU has looked absolutely disinterested in playing.

MTSU now on a 25-3 run in total.

MTSU 35, WKU 28 – 15:54

James Gallam hits two triples to open the second half and MTSU opens up its largest lead of the night at seven.

Caden Dickerson now has five of WKU’s 14 turnovers, as the Hilltoppers have yet to score here in the second half.

Ugly, ugly basketball game – Tops shooting 9 of 33 from the field.

MTSU 29, WKU 28 – halftime

The Hilltoppers went on a 10-0 run to go up as many as seven, but MTSU responded with a 9-0 run almost instantly to take a one-point edge into the break.

Big minutes off the bench from Teeng Akol – on defense anyway – Akol swatted four shots during WKU’s spurt.

Steffphon Pettigrew has 10 points and five rebounds to lead the Hilltoppers – who shot just 9 of 28 from the floor.

James Washington has 13 points to pace MTSU – who shot 8 of 27 for the first half.

WKU also played the majority of hte first half without Jamal Crook, Kahlil McDonald or Juan Pattillo – as each had two early fouls.

WKU 25, MTSU 20 – 3:39

Teeng Akol and Cliff Dixon provide a defensive spark off the bench, and WKU goes on an 8-0 spurt to take a five-point edge here late in the first.

Tops winning on the glass 21-10, Akol with two boards and two blocks in about three minutes – easily his best stretch of the season on the defensive end.

WKU 17, MTSU 17 – 7:00 first half

Juan Pattillo, Jamal Crook and Kahlil McDonald all have two fouls as WKU continues to struggle here.

Tops now 7 of 19 from the floor, MTSU not any better at 5 of 15.

Eight turns for the Tops, seven for the Blue Raiders.

MTSU 9, WKU 8 – 10:35 first half

Middle Tennessee had four turnovers in its first five possessions, but WKU took no advantage whatsover.

Very ugly game so far, a combined 13 turnovers – WKU shooting 4 of 14 from the floor, MTSU 3 of 8.

MTSU at WKU – tip in 30 minutes

The Hilltoppers will look to end a two-game losing skid to visiting Middle Tennessee here tonight at Diddle.

WKU has not lost three straight to the Blue Raiders since the 1920s.

Follow along here, or via Twitter at www.twitter.com/nickbaumgardner

Saturday’s WKU hoops game vs. North Texas a “red out”

Western Kentucky’s home tilt against North Texas – a game that will be aired on ESPN2 – has been promoted as a “red out.”

Fans are encouraged to wear red for the contest.

Tip is at 3 p.m. inside Diddle Arena.