Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Marshall Thundering Herd
| 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|
MRSH | 20 | 25 | 45 |
WKU | 26 | 33 | 59 |
Western Kentucky defeats Marshall 59-45 in 1st C-USA tourney
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Ben Lawson converted a three-point play as fifth-seeded Western Kentucky began a 10-0 run to break away from No. 12 seed Marshall and claim a 59-45 victory Wednesday night in the opening round of the Conference USA tournament.
They were Lawson's only points but came at a handy time, with 6:56 remaining, after Marshall had closed to 46-41 on a Vince DeBoykin layup.
Western Kentucky (20-11) will play fourth-seeded UAB (16-15) Thursday. The Hilltoppers, playing in their first Conference USA tournament, notched their 43rd 20-win season and must win four games in four days to make the NCAA tourney, a feat the Hilltoppers accomplished in 2012 and 2013 in the Sun Belt.
Chris Harrison-Docks led with 18 points, T.J. Price added 13 and Trency Jackson 11.
Western Kentucky led from start to finish, but Marshall (11-21) stayed close until the final seven minutes. JP Kambola led with 12 points.
Game Information
Birmingham, AL
Referee:Rick Hartzell
Referee:John Hampton
Referee:Kevin Mathis
2025-26 Standings
| Sun Belt Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 12-6 | - | 22-12 |
| South Alabama | 11-7 | 1 | 21-12 |
| Arkansas State | 11-7 | 1 | 20-12 |
| Texas State | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| Marshall | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| Coastal Carolina | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| App State | 11-7 | 1 | 19-13 |
| James Madison | 9-9 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Southern Miss | 9-9 | 3 | 19-16 |
| Georgia Southern | 8-10 | 4 | 21-16 |
| Old Dominion | 7-11 | 5 | 12-21 |
| Louisiana | 7-11 | 5 | 11-22 |
| Georgia State | 7-11 | 5 | 10-22 |
| UL Monroe | 1-17 | 11 | 4-28 |
| Conference USA | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |
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