This was a must win game for the Hilltoppers, as they're coming off a five game losing streak. As a team, they started off rocky, and were down double digits early, but they were able to find a rhythm and climb back into the game towards the end of the first half.
UTSA was feisty all night, but WKU pulled through late and pulled off the 81-74 win, all without their starting point guard Dayvion McKnight.
Dontaie Allen played a major role in WKU's comeback with 11 points, which including three shots behind the arc. Allen took advantage of getting nice looks, as well as creating some on his own. The Hilltoppers could use another consistent scorer down the stretch of the season and Allen could very well be that guy.
He was able to sustain his play for the entire game, which is a great sign for WKU, because that's been the main issue on their losing streak. Allen was the star of the show tonight, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
Emmanuel Akot also chipped in with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while Jairus Hamilton scored 14 points to help lift the Hilltoppers to victory.
With the win, Western Kentucky improves to 12-11 overall and 4-8 in C-USA play.
"I just say we had to overcome lots of different things tonight," said Coach Stansbury
IT WAS OVER WHEN: UTSA struggled to hit shots under the five minute mark, and they allowed WKU to find themselves on the offensive end late, which is always a recipe for disaster. After struggling for different periods of time, the Hilltoppers started getting stops on defense and they played their style of basketball, and for the first time in six games, it worked. UTSA had no answer on offense in crunch time and it led to their demise.
HE STOLE THE SHOW: Forward Dontaie Allen did exactly what he needed to tonight, and WKU was able to win because of it. Filling in for the ACL-injured Luke Frampton, Allen is now in a shooter's role with this team. He's shown his potential as a scorer, even as a freshman at Kentucky, and now the results are showing. If Allen becomes a consistent scorer to end off this year, it's a whole new ball game folks.
THE STAT DOESN'T LIE: WKU was able to hit double the three's as UTSA (10-5) and they were able to hold the Roadrunners to just one made three pointer out of 11 attempts in the second half. The Hilltoppers were also able to record an astounding 11 blocks (six from Jamarion Sharp), while UTSA had only one.
WHAT A PLAY: There's he goes again. Dontaie Allen was in attack mode, as he had a matchup he liked and he did a snatch-back dribble move that left his defender lost out of the play. He was then able to drain the three pointer and get the crowd back into the game in a time of need.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Even shorthanded, WKU was able to find a way to win against a team they were just flat-out better than. When Dayvion McKnight left the game, they had to play an unfamiliar style of basketball, but still prevailed. As long as they find a way to win, that's all that matters. Sometimes teams get into slumps and the only thing to cure it is to win again, so hopefully the Hilltoppers can use this outing to light a fire within themselves and get back to normal, winning fashion. It starts Saturday, when they take on UTEP at 3:00 P.M. (CT).
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