Hilltopper Basketball secured a decisive victory against FIU, triumphing 105-91, in a thrilling Thursday night clash at Diddle Arena. Dontaie Allen showcased a stellar performance, achieving a career-best 30 points on 9-for-11 shooting, steering WKU to its third Conference USA victory and 14th win overall for the 2023-24 season.
The Hilltoppers, now standing at 14-6 overall and 3-3 in CUSA league play, continue to enjoy an impeccable 9-0 record at home. Thursday’s game marked the inaugural ‘Wear Pink’ event, with fans receiving free pink shirts, courtesy of Med Center Health, in support of Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society. The team sported custom pink shooting shirts, auctioned to raise funds for The American Cancer Society.
Key Highlights:
- Dontaie Allen’s Brilliance: Allen’s career-high 30 points, backed by efficient shooting, played a pivotal role in WKU’s victory.
- Balanced Scoring: Five Hilltoppers achieved double figures, with Don McHenry contributing 17 points along with a team-high six assists and four steals.
- Rebounding Dominance: Brandon Newman and Rodney Howard secured double-digit points (15 and 12, respectively) and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds each.
- Second-Half Surge: WKU dominated the second half, scoring 56 points on a remarkable 70% shooting from beyond the arc (7-10).
Game Overview:
- After FIU’s early three-pointer, WKU responded, with Newman finding McHenry for a three to level the score at 3-3.
- Allen’s driving layup, and-one, gave WKU a 6-3 lead, marking their first lead of the night.
- The first half saw back-and-forth action, with WKU leading 49-46 at halftime.
- In the second period, a 10-0 run by WKU, sparked by McHenry’s layup, established a 59-48 lead.
- Marshall Jr.’s impactful plays, including a slam dunk and a three-pointer, extended WKU’s lead to 78-63.
- Allen’s three-pointer pushed WKU past the 100-point mark, sealing the 105-91 victory.
Upcoming: WKU continues its conference campaign, returning home on Thursday, Feb. 1, to face Sam Houston. The game at Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky., is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT, with ESPN+ set to broadcast the matchup.
