Western Kentucky didn’t take any moral victories from its 81-80 loss Wednesday at Wisconsin.

“Our guys are upset,” Hilltopper coach Rick Stansbury said following that defeat in Madison, Wis. “We’re not happy with this outcome. We felt like (we) could’ve won the game.”

WKU (6-4) has a chance to take out its frustrations from that loss Saturday when it hosts Indiana State (5-5). Tipoff from E.A. Diddle Arena is set for 11 a.m., with the game to be broadcast locally on WKU PBS.

The Toppers/Sycamores clash was moved up two weeks ago from a scheduled afternoon start time. That was done so fans wouldn’t have to choose between coming to Diddle and staying home to watch the WKU football team play in the Cure Bowl at 1:30 p.m. CST.

The Hilltoppers’ game Saturday against ISU is the third in a stretch of five games over two weeks to close nonconference play.

WKU lost 89-84 at Ohio on Sunday before taking the one-point loss Wednesday in Madison. The Tops will host two games in a row – Saturday against the Sycamores and Tuesday against Belmont – before playing at Austin Peay on Friday.

WKU players and coaches will then break for Christmas before starting Conference USA play Dec. 28 against Louisiana Tech.

After starting this final nonconference push 0-2, the Hilltoppers will look to regain the positive momentum they enjoyed with a four-game win streak earlier this season.

“We’re definitely frustrated,” guard Darius Thompson said Wednesday. “Coming off two losses in a row, it’s tough.

“We’re going to keep battling, battle every day. That’s what we’re known for. We’re going to get the energy back and keep fighting.”

The defeat against the Badgers was especially bitter. WKU came back from an 11-point, second-half hole and – despite allowing Wisconsin to shoot 16-of-22 in the second half – tied the game 80-80 with two seconds left on a Thompson basket.

Controversy ensued from there. Official Steve McJunkins called a foul on Topper forward Marek Nelson before the ensuing inbounds pass for a collision with Badgers guard Brad Davison, despite seemingly signaling Davison for the foul.

Davison hit the game-winning free throw with two seconds to play, lifting Wisconsin to an 81-80 victory.

The foul call – especially McJunkins’ mixed signals on who he called the infraction – drew the ire of WKU players, coaches and officials.

Hilltopper athletic director Todd Stewart, speaking Thursday from a Cure Bowl event in Orlando, Fla., labeled the foul call “a disgrace.”

Even with the controversial finish, Stansbury pointed toward other things WKU could’ve done to win the game. At the top of that list was not allowing the Badgers to shoot 12-of-20 (60 percent) overall from the 3-point range, or letting Wisconsin shoot 72.7 percent from the floor in the second half.

“We knew what we did against Purdue. We knew what we did against SMU,” Stansbury said, referring to two November wins at the Battle 4 Atlantis. “I mean, our guys are disappointed, and that’s what I like. I’m glad our guys are disappointed. I’m glad they’re hurt.

“I don’t want no moral victories, playing close to Wisconsin here. We’ve got to play better. We’ve got to play better to go on the road and beat a good Wisconsin team.”

WKU can relieve some of those frustrations Saturday with a good showing against Indiana State. The Sycamores are 5-5 with a 90-69 road domination of Indiana last month the highlight on their resume.

Guard Jordan Barnes scores a team-best 17.5 points per game for an ISU squad that’s won three of four, including an 85-63 home victory Tuesday against Green Bay.

Notes

Western Kentucky is 15-4 (.789) at E.A. Diddle Arena under Stansbury. The Hilltoppers are 588-167 all time at Diddle Arena for a .779 winning percentage. … WKU has made at least one 3-pointer in 948 consecutive games, dating back to March 15, 1987. The Hilltoppers’ streak is the fifth-longest in the nation behind Kentucky, Nevada-Las Vegas, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. … Forward Justin Johnson is No. 27 on WKU’s all-time scoring list with 1,238 career points. Next up on the list is No. 26 Mike Wells (1,245). … Six of WKU’s seven available scholarship players average between 10.4 and 14.2 points. … WKU ranks 45th in the country in field goal percentage at 49.1 percent and 23rd in 3-point percentage at 40.1 percent. The Hilltoppers lead Conference USA in both categories.

Indiana State (5-5) at Western Kentucky (6-4)

11 a.m., E.A. Diddle Arena

Probable starters

Indiana State

Jordan Barnes, g, 5-11, so. (17.5 ppg, 4 apg); Brenton Scott, g, 6-1, sr. (13 ppg, 5.4 rpg); Brandon Murphy, c, 6-7, sr. (7.2 ppg, 4 rpg); Tyreke Key, g, 6-2, fr. (9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg); Bronson Kessinger, f, 6-8, so. (3 ppg, 2 rpg)

Western Kentucky

Lamonte Bearden, g, 6-3, r-jr. (12.6 ppg, 3.7 apg); Dwight Coleby, f, 6-9, g-sr. (11 ppg, 7.3 rpg); Justin Johnson, f, 6-7, sr. (11.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg); Taveion Hollingsworth, g, 6-2, fr. (12.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg); Darius Thompson, g, 6-4, g-sr. (14.2 ppg, 4.3 apg)

Broadcast

HSSN/Fox College Sports/WKU PBS

Radio

WKLX 100.7-FM

Coaches

Greg Lansing (125-113 eighth year; 125-113 overall), Indiana State; Rick Stansbury (21-21 second year; 314-187 overall), Western Kentucky

Series record

Western Kentucky leads 5-2 (WKU won last meeting 77-59 on Dec. 11, 2016, in Terre Haute, Ind.)

Last time out

Indiana State beat Green Bay 85-63 at home Tuesday; Western Kentucky lost 81-80 Wednesday at Wisconsin{&end}