12/8/2023 basketball Edit

WKU continues non-conference slate in showdown with Buffalo

WKU senior forward BJ Marable during the Hilltopper's game against EKU (Savannah Philpot/WKU Athletics)

Drew Toennies • InsideHilltopperSports

Staff Writer

Western Kentucky (6-3) is set to continue their non-conference slate on the road this weekend, traveling to Alumni Arena to tipoff a showdown with the Buffalo Bulls (1-8) on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's contest will be the second all-time meeting between the two programs. The Hilltoppers and the Bulls first met during the 2021-22 campaign as Buffalo outlasted Western Kentucky 77-67 at E.A. Diddle Arena to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The Hilltoppers recently picked up a 79-69 win over rival Eastern Kentucky last Sunday. Western Kentucky shot 40.6% (28-69) from the floor, 44.0% (11-25) from beyond the arc and 75.0% (12-16) from the free throw line.

WKU redshirt senior guard Brandon Newman was highly explosive for the Hilltoppers this past week, dropping 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks in the team's sixth win of the season.

Another Hilltopper to make a big difference in the victory was junior guard Don McHenry, who recorded a grand total of 18 points, one rebound, one assist and two blocks.

WKU senior guard Khristian Lander also made his presence known on the floor, picking up 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block.

Also contributing to WKU's effort was senior forward Tyrone Marshall Jr., who collected nine points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Buffalo is coming off a 72-59 loss to Butler earlier this week. The Bulls shot 38.7% (24-62) from field goal range, 23.1% (6-26) from three and 62.5% (5-8) from the free throw line.

Fifth year forward Sy Chatman led the Bulls on the scoreboard, dropping 16 points, eight rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals.

Buffalo freshman guard Anquan Boldin Jr. was another standout in the Bulls' last contest, collecting 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Also establishing himself on the court was sophomore guard Shawn Fulcher, who picked up eight points, three rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals.

Western Kentucky is set to tipoff Saturday's contest with Buffalo at 1:00 p.m. CT as the matchup is scheduled to air on ESPN+.

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