The renewed in-state rivalry between Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky was definitely worth the weight on Tuesday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. With time running out and WKU's Justin Johnson surrounded by defenders with his back to the basket, the sophomore forward did what most Hilltoppers fans least expected, he released a turnaround three-point attempt that landed in the net and sent fans in Diddle Arena into a frenzy.
With that, the Hilltoppers secured an 86-84 win over the Colonels.
Western Kentucky jumped out to a 21-2 lead in the first half but that wasn't enough to hold off the Colonels, who countered with an 18-2 run of their own to jump back in the game. Eastern Kentucky took their first lead of the game with 5:23 remaining when Paul Jackson netted a three-pointer to make put the Colonels up 27-26.
Western Kentucky held a 37-36 advantage at halftime.
The two teams continued to trade baskets in the second half as Johnson scored the first eight points for the Hilltoppers in the second stanza to help pace Western Kentucky to a 55-45 advantage with 13:48 remaining in the game. But once again, the Colonels would not fade and slowly chipped away at WKU's lead before senior forward Jarelle Reischel sunk a three-pointer from the top of the key with :19 seconds remaining to give Eastern Kentucky an 84-83 advantage.
However, on Western Kentucky's next possession, utter chaos ensued as Johnson picked up his dribble at the top of the key and was trapped by Colonel defenders before letting it fly and sending Hilltopper fans home happy and Colonel fans home heartbroken.
Johnson finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds while graduate transfer Aaron Cosby was hot all night from beyond the arc, finishing with 26 points and 8-of-11 from 3-point range.
Western Kentucky improves to 4-3 on the season and will face a tough road test against 12th ranked Xavier on Saturday night.
Notes
Western Kentucky used a new starting lineup that consisted of Chris McNeal, Chris Harrison-Docks, Aaron Cosby, Nigel Snipes, and Justin Johnson. This was the first start for Harrison-Docks and Snipes on the season.
Eastern Kentucky countered with the starting lineup of Paul Jackson, Isaac McGlone, Nick Mayo, JaVontae Hawkins, and Jarelle Reischell.
The Hilltoppers went on a 21-2 run to begin the game that spanned six-and-a-half minutes.
Eastern Kentucky countered with a 18-2 run over the next six minutes of the first half.
The Colonels took their first lead of the game at the 5:23 mark of the first half after a three-pointer by Paul Jackson made the score 27-26.
Eastern Kentucky's K.J. Bluford was assessed a technical foul for arguing with the refs.
The Colonels had five players in double figures: Nick Mayo with 11 points, Jarelle Reischel with 16, Javontae Hawkins with 17, Jayle Babb-Harrison with 18, and K.J. Bluford with 12.
The eight three-pointers made by Aaron Cosby were the most by a Western Kentucky player in Diddle Arena. His 26 points also set a single-game career high.
Justin Johnson recorded his third double-double of the season. His game-winning three-pointer was his first attempt of the season.
Freshman guard Chris McNeal had nine points, six assists, and five rebounds. His six assists and five rebounds tied his season high.
Western Kentucky shot 54.4% (31-57) from the field and 53.8% (14-26) from 3-point range.
WKU had 30 points in the paint compared to EKU's 22.
WKU had 21 assists on 31 made baskets.
With that, the Hilltoppers secured an 86-84 win over the Colonels.
Western Kentucky jumped out to a 21-2 lead in the first half but that wasn't enough to hold off the Colonels, who countered with an 18-2 run of their own to jump back in the game. Eastern Kentucky took their first lead of the game with 5:23 remaining when Paul Jackson netted a three-pointer to make put the Colonels up 27-26.
Western Kentucky held a 37-36 advantage at halftime.
The two teams continued to trade baskets in the second half as Johnson scored the first eight points for the Hilltoppers in the second stanza to help pace Western Kentucky to a 55-45 advantage with 13:48 remaining in the game. But once again, the Colonels would not fade and slowly chipped away at WKU's lead before senior forward Jarelle Reischel sunk a three-pointer from the top of the key with :19 seconds remaining to give Eastern Kentucky an 84-83 advantage.
However, on Western Kentucky's next possession, utter chaos ensued as Johnson picked up his dribble at the top of the key and was trapped by Colonel defenders before letting it fly and sending Hilltopper fans home happy and Colonel fans home heartbroken.
Johnson finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds while graduate transfer Aaron Cosby was hot all night from beyond the arc, finishing with 26 points and 8-of-11 from 3-point range.
Western Kentucky improves to 4-3 on the season and will face a tough road test against 12th ranked Xavier on Saturday night.
Notes
Western Kentucky used a new starting lineup that consisted of Chris McNeal, Chris Harrison-Docks, Aaron Cosby, Nigel Snipes, and Justin Johnson. This was the first start for Harrison-Docks and Snipes on the season.
Eastern Kentucky countered with the starting lineup of Paul Jackson, Isaac McGlone, Nick Mayo, JaVontae Hawkins, and Jarelle Reischell.
The Hilltoppers went on a 21-2 run to begin the game that spanned six-and-a-half minutes.
Eastern Kentucky countered with a 18-2 run over the next six minutes of the first half.
The Colonels took their first lead of the game at the 5:23 mark of the first half after a three-pointer by Paul Jackson made the score 27-26.
Eastern Kentucky's K.J. Bluford was assessed a technical foul for arguing with the refs.
The Colonels had five players in double figures: Nick Mayo with 11 points, Jarelle Reischel with 16, Javontae Hawkins with 17, Jayle Babb-Harrison with 18, and K.J. Bluford with 12.
The eight three-pointers made by Aaron Cosby were the most by a Western Kentucky player in Diddle Arena. His 26 points also set a single-game career high.
Justin Johnson recorded his third double-double of the season. His game-winning three-pointer was his first attempt of the season.
Freshman guard Chris McNeal had nine points, six assists, and five rebounds. His six assists and five rebounds tied his season high.
Western Kentucky shot 54.4% (31-57) from the field and 53.8% (14-26) from 3-point range.
WKU had 30 points in the paint compared to EKU's 22.
WKU had 21 assists on 31 made baskets.
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