The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers held off the Delaware Blue Hens 88-87 in a thrilling matchup at the Bob Carpenter Center, with Teagan Moore leading the charge with 27 points, including 5 crucial points in the final 2 minutes of the game. Western Kentucky trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half, but managed to cut the deficit to 41-29 by halftime, with Delaware's Christian Bliss scoring 12 of his 24 points in the first 20 minutes. The Hilltoppers' 50-point second half, which included a 10-2 run to start the period, was just enough to overcome the Blue Hens' strong start, as Western Kentucky outscored Delaware 59-46 over the final 25 minutes of the game. Delaware's 9-17 record now includes 7 losses by 5 points or less, with 4 of those coming in their last 8 games, where they have averaged 71.4 points per game but allowed 73.2 points per contest.
The Blue Hens' recent trend of being outscored by 1.8 points per game over their last 5 contests continued, as they fell to 3-2 in that stretch, with their last 3 games being decided by a total of 6 points. Western Kentucky, on the other hand, has now won 3 of their last 5 games, outscoring their opponents by 1.8 points per contest, and their 15-11 record has them sitting at 176 in the NET rankings, a full 93 spots ahead of Delaware's 269 ranking. The Hilltoppers' ability to come back from a double-digit deficit was a reflection of their resilience, as they have now won 5 games this season when trailing by 10 or more points, including 3 times in their last 6 outings. With 22 points and 5 assists, Ryan Myers was a key contributor to Western Kentucky's comeback, including a 3-pointer with 1:15 remaining to put the Hilltoppers up by 2.
Beyond the impressive stat lines, it was the clutch gene of Western Kentucky's players that made the difference, as Moore and Myers combined to score 11 of the Hilltoppers' final 15 points, including the last 5 points of the game. Meanwhile, Delaware's Tyler Houser, who finished with 24 points, was held to just 2 points in the final 10 minutes of the game, as the Blue Hens' offense stalled late, scoring just 6 points in the last 4 minutes. Justyn Fernandez, who had 17 points and 6 rebounds for Delaware, was a bright spot for the Blue Hens, but his efforts were not enough to overcome the Hilltoppers' balanced attack, which saw 4 players score in double figures. Western Kentucky's LJ Hackman, who had 13 points and 5 assists, was a key contributor off the bench, as the Hilltoppers' reserves outscored Delaware's 23-10.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 2.8-point Western Kentucky win was spot on, as the Hilltoppers' ability to adapt to Delaware's defensive scheme and make adjustments on the fly ultimately paid off.
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The model's accuracy can be attributed to its ability to account for Western Kentucky's strong road record, where they have won 7 of their last 10 games away from home, including 3 wins in their last 4 outings. Additionally, the model correctly predicted that Delaware's struggles on the defensive end, where they have allowed 73.2 points per game over their last 5 contests, would be their downfall, as Western Kentucky's 88 points were the most allowed by the Blue Hens in their last 6 games. The Hilltoppers' 50-point second half was a key factor in their win, as they shot 62% from the field and 50% from 3-point range over the final 20 minutes.
As the season enters its final stretch, this win could have real consequences for Western Kentucky's tournament hopes, as they now sit at 15-11 overall and 8-6 in their last 14 games. With a Quad 4 win over Delaware, the Hilltoppers have improved their resume and set themselves up for a potential push for a postseason berth.
The win moves Western Kentucky to 176 in the NET rankings, and while they still have work to do, this victory could be a crucial stepping stone in their pursuit of a tournament bid. For Delaware, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, as they fell to 9-17 on the season and saw their slim tournament hopes all but disappear. The Blue Hens' 3-2 record over their last 5 games is a positive sign, but they must string together a few more wins if they hope to make a late push for a postseason spot. With just 4 games remaining on their schedule, Delaware must win at least 3 of those contests to have any chance at a tournament bid, a daunting task considering their remaining opponents have a combined record of 62-35. Western Kentucky, on the other hand, has 5 games left on their schedule, and must win at least 3 of those to feel comfortable about their tournament chances, with their next 2 games coming against teams ranked in the top 100 of the NET rankings.