Coleby, Thompson spark Western Kentucky to 82-66 win

Dec 30, 2017, 05:34 pm

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Darius Thompson hit the first of his four 3-pointers to spark a 10-0 run early and Western Kentucky cruised from there, defeating Southern Miss 82-66 on Saturday.

The game was 2-2 when Thompson and Taveion Hollingsworth made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, then Justin Johnson and Dwight Coleby scored on the next two possessions for a 12-2 lead in less than 90 seconds.

Coleby led with 20 points, converting 10 of 10 at the free throw line, and Thompson added 15 with seven assists. Johnson had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Hilltoppers (10-5, 2-0 Conference USA), with a season-best 12 3-pointers, extended their steak of 3-pointers to 953 consecutive games, going back to 1987, fifth-longest in the nation.

Lamonte Bearden scored 10 points and made eight of Western Kentucky's 22 assists (on 26 field goals).

Tyree Griffin led the Golden Eagles (7-8, 0-2) with 14 points and Cortez Edwards added 12. Southern Miss, which shot 32 percent, got within single-digits, 59-50, after Griffin and Kevin Holland made consecutive 3-pointers with 7:43 remaining.