WKU holds off Kentucky Wesleyan for sixth straight win

Published 3:49 pm Sunday, December 22, 2024

by Micheal Compton

It took a while to get some breathing room, but the Western Kentucky men’s basketball team was finally able to pull away for a 91-71 win over Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday at E.A. Diddle.

Behind another stellar night from Don McHenry, who tied a season-high with a 29-point effort, WKU (9-3) was able to break open a close game early in the second half – securing a sixth straight win.

“I’m pretty proud of the guys,” WKU coach Hank Plona said. “It was a very hard-fought win against a good basketball team here tonight. That’s a basketball team that hadn’t lost since November 10th and had won eight games in a row. They are certainly on pace to have a championship year. Credit to them, they have some talented offensive players. They are very well-coached and that didn’t catch us by surprise.

Email newsletter signup

“I am proud of how they were able to persevere through the ups and downs and come out with a great win.”

The Division II Panthers came out hot and maintained success on the offensive end, shooting 57% in a tightly contested first half. WKU trailed 6-0 early, but was able to answer with seven straight points to earn its first lead of the day.

The first half featured 15 lead changes, with Braxton Bayless scoring the final five points for WKU to secure a 46-41 halftime advantage.

Bayless said despite the red-hot first half by Kentucky Wesleyan, that WKU never panicked.

WKU turned up the defensive pressure in the second half, turning Kentucky Wesleyan turnovers into transition points that helped open up the lead. A 12-2 spurt pushed the margin to 67-55 midway through the second half – with another 10-2 run that ended with a spectacular 3-pointer off the dribble by McHenry that fooled his defender to extend the lead to 79-63 with 4:54 remaining. Kentucky Wesleyan was unable to get closer than 13 the rest of the way.

“We just had to keep the same game plan the whole time, keep the pressure up,” Bayless said. “We knew they were going to make shots. They are a good team, so we just had to keep playing our basketball and we knew we would come out with the win.”

Kentucky Wesleyan shot 51% for the game, but WKU took advantage of 20 turnovers that led directly to a 28-2 advantage in points off turnovers.

McHenry scored 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half and has now scored 86 points over the last three games.

“Don is a pretty special player,” Plona said. “The things that Don does well you can’t teach. Yeah shooting, scoring that is part of it but he’s got a mental strength and a mental toughness and a confidence about him that exists because of who he is as a young man.

“… He deserves the success that he is having. I would say the last five games he has been outstanding.”

Bayless equaled a season-high with 18 points, adding five rebounds. Julius Thedford finished with 17 points and six rebounds, while Tyrone Marshall, Jr. added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

WKU was once again without Khristian Lander (ankle) and Babacar Faye (knee), who were both injured in last week’s win against Murray State. Blaise Keita also missed his fifth straight game.

“As we are sitting up here right now I would guess that Khristian Lander and Blaise Keita will be available at Michigan in eight days,” Plona said. “That is kind of what we are shooting for. I would think after the break we would have an idea at what (Faye) is looking at too and we will make sure to let you guys know that as soon as we have a timeline on that.”

Even with the injuries WKU has found some consistency, winning nine out of the last 10 heading into the final nonconference game at Michigan on Dec. 29.

“I think we are moving in the right direction and we continue to get better as the season progresses,” McHenry said.

About Micheal Compton

I am a sports reporter and movie critic for the Bowling Green Daily News.

email author More by Micheal

More Sports

SLIDE SHOW: Tops earn sixth straight win after besting Kentucky Wesleyan

Lady Tops hold off Nevada in Maui Classic

Cox named AVCA All-American Honorable Mention

SHORT-HANDED: WKU extends win streak with roster depleted by injuries

Print Article