Moore, Tops earn first win of new year 102-91 over Sam Houston

4 hours ago

WNKY Staff,

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — WKU Hilltopper Basketball defeated Sam Houston 102-91 in its Conference USA home opener on Friday evening inside E.A. Diddle Arena.

The Hilltoppers (8-5, 1-1 CUSA) overcame an early double-digit deficit and a seven-point halftime hole with an explosive offensive effort in a 102-91 win over the Bearkats (8-5, 0-2 CUSA). WKU erupted for 60 second-half points, fueled by a career night from Teagan Moore, who poured in 28 points, along with big contributions from Ryan Myers (18 points), Armelo Boone (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Grant Newell (12 points). WKU controlled the glass and turned its work on the boards into a season-high 33 second-chance points, earning the Hilltoppers their first CUSA victory of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Sam Houston started the game on a 7-0 run, scoring on four free throws and a pair of two-point baskets, but the Hilltoppers responded by scoring seven of the next eight points to make it 8-7. Grant Newell drilled a 3-pointer and followed with a jumper, while LJ Hackman sliced to the rim for a layup. The Bearkats answered with an 8-0 burst of their own to stretch the lead to 16-7 at the 12:47 mark.

After falling behind 20-10, WKU answered with an 8-0 spurt to pull within one possession at 20-18. Teagan Moore sparked the run with a 3-pointer and a free throw, Armelo Boone added a layup and a free throw and Noah Boyde knocked down a free throw to complete the push.

The Hilltoppers continued to claw back as Hackman buried another 3-pointer, Blaise Keita scored on a putback inside and Cam Haffner connected on his first triple to keep WKU within three at 29-26.

Sam Houston rebuilt its cushion to 42-28, but WKU answered again behind an explosive stretch from Ryan Myers and Moore. Myers poured in 11 points late in the half, and Moore capped the period with a halfcourt heave that beat the buzzer, trimming the deficit to 49-42 at the break.

WKU carried that momentum into the second half as Haffner and Moore each knocked down 3-pointers in the opening minutes, though Sam Houston still held a 57-48 lead with 17:58 remaining.

From there, the Hilltoppers caught fire, ripping off a 21-5 run to seize their first lead of the day at 69-62 with 12:22 left. Moore fueled the surge with nine points, Boone added five, Boyde contributed four at the rim and Haffner chipped in another 3-pointer.

The Bearkats briefly regained control with an 8-0 run to go back in front 70-69, but WKU had the answer once more. Boone knocked down a pair of free throws and converted a layup, Boyde added a free throw, Newell buried a jumper and Myers drilled his fourth 3-pointer as the Hilltoppers responded with a counterpunch of their own.

WKU continued to pull away, stretching the margin to 92-79 with 3:42 to go behind a series of timely plays. Boone hit a couple of jumpers, Newell sank a 3-pointer, Moore scored at the rim and Myers went 2-for-2 at the line.

Down the stretch, Moore, Hackman and Newell each converted at the foul line, closing out a 102-91 victory over the Bearkats.

NOTABLES

WKU improves to 8-5 overall, 1-1 in Conference USA play and 2-3 all-time against Sam Houston.
Tonight’s starting five featured Ryan Myers, Armelo Boone, Teagan Moore, Grant Newell and Noah Boyde.
The announced attendance was 3,546.
Four Hilltoppers scored in double figures, led by a career-high 28 from Moore, 18 from Myers, 16 from Boone and 12 from Newell. Cam Haffner and LJ Hackman added nine points off the bench while Boyde chipped in eight.
Moore delivered a career scoring performance, finishing with a career-high 28 points while setting a career-best with three made 3-pointers. He went 9-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-8 from long range — matching career highs in both field goals made and attempts — and 7-of-10 at the line, adding six rebounds, three assists and a steal in 35 minutes for his fifth 20-point scoring outing of the season.
Myers provided efficient perimeter scoring with 18 points in just 18 minutes, hitting 5-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He was perfect at the stripe at 4-of-4 and chipped in three assists.
Boone turned in his second double-double of the season with 16 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, anchoring WKU’s effort on the glass. He went 6-of-16 from the field and 3-of-5 at the free throw line while also contributing two assists and two blocks in 29 minutes.
Newell had 12 points and six rebounds. He knocked down two 3-pointers, added two assists and a block in 25 minutes.
Haffner gave a strong lift off the bench with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. In 25 minutes, he also grabbed four rebounds, handed out two assists and snagged two steals.
Hackman was another key reserve, finishing with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, including 1-of-2 from long range. He added two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes.
Boyde contributed across the board with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting to go with six rebounds. He also recorded three steals, one assist and one block in 26 minutes.
The Hilltoppers held advantages in second chance points (33-15), rebounds (49-40), 3-pointers (14-10) and blocks (4-2). The programs were even in assists (17-17).
The Hilltoppers led for 13:21, while Sam Houston held the advantage for 25:39. There were three lead changes and two ties.

QUOTABLES

“I’m not sure if that was the prettiest 40 minutes of basketball. I could probably pick us apart and tell you all the millions of things we need to get better at. At the same time, I thought we showed a lot of toughness and grit and once we were forced to, had our backs against the wall, I thought we responded very, very well, played together, showed a lot of toughness, made a lot of toughness plays, made some good basketball plays and obviously it’s great to beat a really good team like that at home. So, the basketball coach in me knows how much better we need to get and I think that was evident at times tonight. At the same time, so far this year I think that’s been about the best team in Conference USA and it’s good that our guys have proved to themselves that they can battle and not only battle but come out on top and make the plays that lead to a win against a very good team. So, very proud of our fight, very proud of our effort and very pleased to get a win today.” — Mahurin Family Foundation Head Men’s Basketball Coach Hank Plona, on the win over Sam Houston.

“Every day. Every day. No, that’s just one of those shots that it just it just it just goes in when you when you’re feeling it. Straight ahead and it banked.” — G, Teagan Moore, on his halfcourt buzzer beater to end the first half.

“Just staying in the moment, trusting my teammates, trusting everything that we got going on and just always having that belief that we going to win the game. I’m not necessarily thinking about myself. I’m just trying to think about what’s right for the team and just trying to help win because I came here to win, so that’s all I really prioritize when I’m on the court.” — G Ryan Myers, on his performance in the win over Sam Houston.

“It’s really the coach’s style. They be giving me like motivation for me to play hard like every day, like even in practice, I’ll be playing hard, including my teammates, they also push me to play hard and do everything.” — G Armelo Boone, on his performance in the win over Sam Houston.

NEXT UP

WKU concludes its two-game homestand against Louisiana Tech on Sunday, Jan. 4. Tipoff inside E.A. Diddle Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.