WKU Basketball: Tops Storm back from 17 Down, Stun Louisiana Tech 95–91 in Overtime

In a season full of comebacks, the 2019–20 Hilltoppers pulled off arguably their most impressive one yet as they stormed back from 17 down with 5 minutes remaining and pulled off an exhilarating 95–91 overtime victory over Louisiana Tech.

WKU dug a 7–0 hole early before stopping the bleeding. The Hilltoppers were was ice cold for the first 10 minutes of the first half shooting just 25% early and trailing by 22–11 with 9 minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs extended that lead to 14 points before the Hilltoppers stormed back making threes and cutting the lead to one. Louisiana Tech’s Kobe Williams hit a miracle three at the buzzer and the Bulldogs would lead 37–33 at the break.

Both teams traded punches during the first five minutes but Tech went on a 9–0 run as they extended the lead to 51–41.

WKU struggled to claw back and looked flat as they fell behind by 17 points with 6 minutes left.

The Hilltoppers made a late rally getting it within 3 with 16.7 seconds left. Williams would hit one of two free throws to get it to two possessions but Josh Anderson would get fouled immediately making both to get it to two with 14 seconds left.

After Jean made one of two free throws WKU got the ball with 10 seconds remaining. Taveion Hollingsworth hit a bank three to give him 38 points for the game and an 80–80 tie to force overtime. WKU closed the half on a 15–6 run in the last 90 seconds.

The Hilltoppers would finally take their first lead of the game on a Carson Williams free throw. The Bulldogs would answer and both teams were deadlocked at 83 with three minutes remaining.

Josh Anderson hit another free throw to regain the lead for the Hilltoppers but Derric Jean drained a three to give the Bulldogs a two-point lead. From there Jeremiah Gambrell stepped up and hit a clutch layup to tie it up.

Taveion Hollingsworth would then steal the ball and make a free throw to regain the lead, after a Tech miss, Rawls drained two free throws to give WKU a 3 point lead.

Each team traded free throws the rest of the way and WKU held on for a 95–91 overtime victory to stay within a game of North Texas in the CUSA standings with two games left to play.

Here are some thoughts on yet another crazy comeback

• After a slow start, WKU finished shooting 11–31 from three-point range. That helped them overcome their horrid rebounding percentage (below) and hot shooting by Tech.
• Taveion Hollingsworth had the best performance of his career finishing with 43 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and just 2 turnovers in 43 minutes. Hollingsworth’s scoring performance was the best since Anthony Winchester in 2004. Games like this might just propel him to the CUSA player of the year conversation.
• WKU once again won the game with their bread and butter of free throw margin. WKU made 17 more free throws (32 made to 15 made). If there is one major characteristic of Stansbury ball it’s getting to the line.
• Jared Savage struggled scoring on senior night (8 points) but still did the dirty work (9 rebounds) and kept WKU in the game late. I was glad to see him get the win on senior night.
• WKU won the turnover battle 15–12. Before the last few minutes, the press helped WKU surge to victory once again.
• WKU was abused on the glass 46–35. The rebounding margin was even worse before late-game surge and helped Tech extend their lead easily.
• Carson Williams was his usual bulldog self with 17 points and 7 rebounds. He keeps teams honest down low and opens up the deep ball for the rest of the team.
• Jordan Rawls had another quiet performance (4 points in 29 minutes) when he’s going this team plays at another level
• Kudos to Jeremiah Gambrell for stepping up in overtime. He not only scored but played solid defense with Savage and Justice fouled out. Stansbury really should trust him more to buy the rotation players some rest down the stretch.
• With the win, WKU clinched a first-round bye in the CUSA tournament. They’ll only have to win three games in three days instead of four games in 4 days.
• North Texas defeated FIU tonight to maintain a one-game lead on the Hilltoppers with two games to play. WKU still controls their own destiny for a regular-season conference crown (guaranteed NIT bid) & #1 seed in the CUSA tournament. WKU just needs to focus for two more games to reach those goals.
• Here are your senior night festivities for Savage, Justice & Horton

WKU travels to North Texas on Sunday at 1 PM CT in a first-place showdown. Should WKU defeat the Mean Green they’d hold the tiebreaker with one game to play for the regular-season title and #1 seed. Sunday is huge. Let’s savor tonight’s amazing win and hope this team can replicate the effort on Sunday.

Here are the final stats from tonight’s amazing win