WKU Basketball: Tops Take Game 2 71–59, Sweeps Florida International
Game Two of the Western Kentucky/Florida International series tipped off for a Monday “lunch break” game at 12 pm. FIU started off the game with a transition 3 point basket from an early WKU turnover. After a short misfortune of offensive sequences, the Tops came back into their own brand of basketball.
At the first media timeout, the Tops were leading 9–6. Charles Bassey went to work quickly by getting multiple shot blocks on the Panthers. WKU created their largest lead of the half with a 16–11 score through the 11:22 mark of the first half. In the closing minutes of the first half, the Panthers started to come back.
The Hilltoppers kept turning over the ball which resulted in FIU scoring much-needed baskets. The turnover battle from last night’s game transferred over to the Tops side as they created 10 turnovers. After a missed buzzer-beater, the Panthers were leading WKU at the half, 33–28.
Starting off the second half, the Tops went right back to reclaim the lead. Through the first media timeout of the second half, the Tops were leading 55–45.
Taveion Hollingsworth scored seven straight points while the Tops were starting to rout the Panthers. The biggest lead of the game was extended to 17 points as they went up 62–45 at the 7:26 mark. As time went on in the second half, the Tops went on to win their ninth straight C-USA game with the final score of 71–59. WKU’s record now stands at 17–5, with a 10–2 CUSA record.
Notes from the game:
- Although the first half was a struggle for the offensive possessions, the Tops managed to clean up the turnover ratio in the second half. Although it was in double digits, they didn’t go over 20 in a game. If they did, this would’ve been the 5th time this season.
- Charles Bassey went for his 15th double-double of the season. He also got 15 rebounds.
- Taveion Hollingsworth led the charge with 20 points and 7 rebounds.
- This was a fun series to watch as the Tops swept the Panthers. Now their attention will be focused on the Old Dominion Monarchs. ODU was the 2018–2019 Conference USA Champion, defeating WKU to do so. This creates a goal for the Tops to avenge their ending in the 2019 Conference USA Tournament to attempt for a title of their own this season. Game 1 of the series will be at Diddle Arena on Friday, March 5th. This will be a 7 pm central time tipoff. The game will be televised on Facebook via CBS Sports.
Here are the final stats from today’s win at Diddle:
