Western Kentucky lost its third straight Conference USA men’s basketball game with a to 73-58 defeat to Sam Houston on Saturday at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas.

The Hilltoppers entered Saturday’s game against the Bearkats significantly shorthanded due to injuries to redshirt sophomore guard Teagan Moore and freshman guard Armelo Boone. Moore did not make the trip after experiencing concussion-like symptoms following an on-court collision in Wednesday’s home loss to Liberty, while Boone made the trip despite suffered an ankle injury in Thursday’s practice. Boone was ruled out shortly before Saturday’s game. Moore is the Tops’ leading scorer this season at 17.2 points per game, while Boone ranks as the team’s second-leader scorer with 11.8 points per outing.

WKU falls to 11-9 overall and 4-5 in Conference USA play.

Sam Houston jumped out to a 6-2 lead at the first media timeout with 15:58 remaining in the first half. Grant Newell provided WKU’s lone basket in the early minutes, knocking down a mid-range jumper. The Hilltoppers committed four turnovers during the stretch.

Offensive struggles continued for WKU over the next 10 minutes as the Bearkats stretched their advantage to 20-10. The Hilltoppers managed just two field goals — a Leeroy Odiahi dunk and an LJ Hackman 3-pointer — along with three combined free throws from Hackman and Terrion Murdix.

Murdix sparked WKU’s offense late in the half, scoring seven points on a 3-pointer and four free throws. Newell added a pair of free throws and Odiahi contributed a late basket as the Hilltoppers went into halftime trailing 38-21.

Sam Houston opened the second half with a 10-0 run before WKU answered with an 8-0 surge of its own. Newell scored a layup, followed by Ryan Myers, who buried a 3-pointer and converted an and-one at the rim. The Hilltoppers trimmed the deficit to 48-29 with 14:56 left to play.

In the final 12 minutes, Hackman and Odiahi paced the WKU offense, combining for 16 points. Kade Unseld and Cade Stinnett each added a 3-pointer, but the Bearkats maintained control throughout, preserving their double-digit cushion and closing out a 73-58 victory.

Three Hilltoppers scored in double figures. Hackman led WKU with 14 points, while Odiahi added a career-high 10 and Newell chipped in 10 of his own.

Hackman paced the Hilltoppers with 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also collected four rebounds, two assists and a steal in 24 minutes.

Odiahi went a perfect 5-of-5 from the field to finish with 10 points, three rebounds and a steal in 25 minutes.

Newell recorded 10 points and six rebounds, converting all four of his free throw attempts and adding a block in 33 minutes.

Myers scored nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, hitting two 3-pointers and grabbing four rebounds in 22 minutes.

Murdix added nine points on a perfect 6-of-6 effort from the free throw line and a 3-pointer, along with a steal in 17 minutes.

WKU continues its three-game road swing on Wednesday at Kennesaw State. Tipoff at the KSU Convocation Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. The game will stream live on ESPN+.