WKU Basketball: Hilltoppers Fall Flat in C-USA Title Game, Fall to ODU, 62–56

In a season that was full on inconsistent and, at times, baffling performances, Western Kentucky turned in an inconsistent and, at times, baffling performance against Old Dominion falling for the second straight year in the conference title game, this time by a 62–56 score.

The first half for the Hilltoppers was one to forget, as sloppy offense was the theme of the opening 20 minutes as the Tops, time after time, disappointed when they had the ball.

WKU missed their first three shots of the game and came away empty on multiple other possessions before getting their first bucket of the game nearly four minutes in.

It especially wasn’t a strong first half for both Taveion Hollingsworth and Charles Bassey. The former seemed uncomfortable with the ball on offense, taking awkward shots (like pulling up for a jump shot while being three feet away from the basket) while the latter lost the first half to ODU’s Elbert Robertson on defense, allowing Robertson to have his way in the paint.

Things weren’t as incredibly dire statistically as they may have seemed at the intermission; WKU shot 45% from the floor (ODU was slightly better, at 48%) and got to the free throw line more than ODU, but less than desired (six times) and there was still the hope that things would get worked out in the locker room for the back 20 minutes.

Those dreams were quickly dashed as the Tops’ turned in no better a performance in the second half.

This can be exemplified in the following sequence: Old Dominion went from 16:22 until 10:40 in the second half. In that time, the Hilltoppers scored eight points.

Eight.

8.

One more than seven, one fewer than nine.

In a stretch that could have blown the game open, the Tops were able to scratch their way from a 34–29 deficit to a 37–34 lead, only to have ODU rip an 11–3 run to re-take control of the game.

In fact, it was part of that 11–3 run that saw the Tops hold their last lead of the game, which came at the 10:40 mark of the second half.

This is a loss that hurts more than last year’s second-place finish that literally ended with the game winning shot bouncing out.

Here’s to hoping an NIT is in the cards or it could be a long offseason for fans of Hilltopper hoops.

Final Stats