WKU Basketball: Tops Outgrind SMU, Come From Behind in Dramatic 63–61 Win
Western Kentucky men’s basketball has done it again. Despite an emaciated roster due to preseason transfers and ineligible players, WKU found a way to battle back from as much as ten down to take their second and final lead with 4.5 seconds remaining. True freshman Jake Ohmer banged home a go-ahead three on a cross-court pass from Justin Johnson.
SMU held the lead for 39 of 40 minutes. Ethan Chargois led the Mustangs with 21 points on 66% shooting. Jarrey Foster (18 points) and Shake Milton (11 points) also crested double figures.
WKU was outrebounded and outshot from three, but, they were able to force more turnovers and get to the free throw line. Johnson and freshman sensation Taiveion Hollingsworth were shut down, only producing ten points and six rebounds combined, but upperclassmen transfers Dwight Coleby (12 points, 12 rebounds), Lamonte Bearden (13 points, 6 assists, 5 steals) and Darius Thompson (14 points) picked up the slack.
After a back and forth opening four minutes of the first half, SMU took control of the first half, leading 29–24 at the break. After a slow-paced start to the second, Darius Thompson made a jumper to cut the Mustang lead to 41–38. SMU promptly went on a 9–2 spurt to take a 50–40 lead with 10:22 remaining. Surely SMU had finally seized control, and WKU would gasp for breath eventually succumbing to the superior opponent due to a lack of depth.
Not so fast.
In a slugfest with a 55 point pace, WKU managed to score 23 points out of nowhere, while holding SMU to 11 in the final ten minutes. Jake Ohmer dropped in all of his nine points on three pointers, and once again, WKU found a way against an opponent favored by double digits.
News and Notes
- WKU is now 4–2 on the season, having won two of three in one of the strongest preseason tournament fields of 2017. WKU finishes fifth in the Battle 4 Atlantis.
- WKU now has six players averaging double figures on the season.
- The Hilltoppers force 18.5 turnovers per game.
- WKU forwards Justin Johnson and Dwight Coleby have combined for a total of six double-doubles on the season. The two combine for 17 rebounds per game.
What’s Next?
WKU comes back home for two games next week to what will surely be a rocking Diddle Arena against old SEC arch rival Eastern Kentucky Wednesday, November 29 at 7 PM. Wright State then comes to town to start December in Bowling Green. The Hilltoppers battle the Raiders at 4 PM on Saturday, December 2.
Western Kentucky has certainly raised expectations for this season. Will they continue to perform to an NCAA Tournament caliber level? That remains to be seen, but WKU has passed every test so far with flying colors.
They certainly have Topper fans talking. See you Wednesday.
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