WKU Hilltopper Basketball shot 62.5 percent in the second half Thursday night at Old Dominion, powering its way to a 75-68 victory – its fifth in a row overall.
The Hilltoppers (12-5, 4-0 Conference USA) remained unbeaten in league play and snapped a six-game losing streak to Old Dominion (12-4, 3-1). WKU hadn’t won in Norfolk since 1991.
Senior forward Justin Johnson notched his 30th career double-double with 25 points and 14 rebounds. He shot 10 of 18 from the field – including a career-high 5 of 7 from 3-point range – and also had three blocks and two assists.
Senior guard Darius Thompson scored 24 points, and redshirt junior guard Lamonte Bearden added 15 points and four assists. Senior forward Dwight Coleby chipped in eight points and nine rebounds.
WKU jumped out to an early 16-6 lead, in part behind three 3-pointers from Johnson.
Old Dominion answered with six straight points and later used a 12-0 run to pull in front 30-23 at the 1:49 mark.
But WKU scored seven of the final nine points of the half, including a running 3 off the glass by Thompson at the buzzer to trim the Hilltoppers’ deficit to 32-30.
WKU quickly pulled back in front with an 8-2 run to start the second half, then used a 10-2 run to make it 50-41 with 12:23 left on a 3-pointer by Bearden.
Old Dominion pulled within two possessions several times, but the Hilltoppers kept the Monarchs at bay. No defensive stand was bigger than Johnson’s block and rebound with 1:22 left that preserved a 68-62 lead and allowed the Hilltoppers to win the game at the free-throw line.
WKU shot 54 percent from the field for the game, netted 10 of 16 3-pointers and made 11 of 15 free throws.
B.J. Stith had 17 points to lead Old Dominion, which had won seven straight games coming into the contest.
The Hilltoppers complete their road swing at Charlotte at 6 p.m. CT Saturday.
How to follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Basketball, follow the team’s social media channels, @WKUBasketball on Twitter, @WKUBasketball on Instagram, and WKU Basketball on Facebook.
-@WKUSports-
Zach Greenwell
Associate Director
WKU Athletic Communications/Media Relations
Men’s Basketball | Men’s Golf | Women’s Golf
