— By David Walsh
Enoch Kalambay made two free throws with 5:41 left to break a 71-71 tie and Western Kentucky went on to defeat Marshall, 90-82, Saturday night at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Although the two teams are in different leagues now after being rivals in Conference USA, the game proved entertaining again and the Hilltoppers notched their eighth straight win in the series.
After taking the lead for good, Western Kentucky got its lead up to eight at 80-72 with 2:21 left and held off the Herd by making free throws.
Ryan Nutter converted two free throws for the Herd with 15 seconds left to get within four (86-82).
Don McHenry and Khristian Lander each went 2-of-2 at the line in the final seconds to set the final score.
“They made plays when it mattered most,” first-year Herd coach Corny Jackson said.
One stat that worried Jackson was fast break points. Running is part of Western Kentucky’s game. The Hilltoppers had an 18-5 edge in points in that category.
“Right at the start of the (second) half, they had three or four baskets,” Jackson said. “We didn’t sprint back. That’s part of the job. You can’t take a breath against these guys. They’re putting the pressure on. We let it get away from us.”
Mikal Dawson had another surge with three-pointers, hitting six in the first half as Marshall led at the break 40-36. Dawson, former Huntington High standout and transfer from Akron, led the attack with 28 points. Big man Nate Martin totaled 14 and Nutter 12.
Julius Thedford led Western Kentucky (4-4) with 19 points. Tyron Marshall added 18, Babacar Faye 14 and Lander 13.
Another telling stat was bench play as the Hilltoppers enjoyed a 44-16 edge. Marshall did win the board battle, 40-31.
Marshall (4-4) returns to action Wednesday at home against Morehead State. Tipoff at Cam Henderson Center is 7 p.m.
“I’m proud of the way we fought,” Jackson said. “In an environment like this, you have to be laser focused. They’re a good basketball team. They made plays when it mattered most.”
Dawson drilled six of his threes in the first half. The Herd had seven total, but none from behind the arc in the second half.
The two teams will meet again next season in Huntington.
Western Kentucky leads the overall series 23-12 dating back to 1944.