Tops Escape Evansville in a One-Point Battle

By Austin Stuckey, SSM

BOWLING GREEN, KY - Western Kentucky held on late and beat Evansville 80-79 in a tight game that went down to the final shot.

WKU came out with energy and led 36-32 at the break, but Evansville kept answering. The Aces caught fire from three, hitting 14 threes on the night and staying within striking distance the entire game. Leif Moeller poured in 21 points and Connor Turnbull added 19 to keep Evansville alive.

The difference for the Tops was simple: the bench took over. WKU’s bench scored 54 points, giving them a huge spark when the starters were cold.

Ryan Myers was the star. He came off the bench and dropped 27 points, including seven threes. Every time WKU needed a bucket, he delivered. Teagan Moore added 15 and was perfect from the free-throw line, and LJ Hackman brought energy with 12 points. Bryant Selebangue battled inside for 11 points and 12 rebounds, giving WKU toughness in the paint.

On defense, WKU had to work for everything. Evansville shot well from deep, but the Tops made key stops late and controlled the boards 41-35. Those extra rebounds helped prevent second-chance points in such a close matchup.

In the final minute, Myers hit a huge three, the defense tightened up, and WKU knocked down their free throws. Evansville had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but the shot missed, and the Tops survived.

For WKU, this was a grind-it-out win. No panic, no backing down, just making plays when it mattered and trusting their depth.

The Tops move to 6-2 and keep rolling toward conference play.

One point. One stop. One tough win.