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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Hilltoppers Secure 82-48 Win Over Kentucky Wesleyan
The WKU Hilltopper basketball team advanced to a 2-0 season record with an impressive 82-48 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan on Thursday night at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Leading the team, Teagan Moore scored 26 points and collected five steals, while Emondrek Erkins-Ford and Gabe Weis each added 11 points. The Hilltoppers' tough defense forced 20 turnovers and totaled 17 steals, with the team dominating in the paint and building an early lead that they held throughout the game.
Strong Start from WKU Basketball
After Kentucky Wesleyan opened the game with a three-pointer, WKU answered quickly with back-to-back triples from EJ Walker and Teagan Moore. The Hilltoppers then put together a significant 10-0 run, highlighted by dunks from Armelo Boone and Joseph Adebayo, layups from Moore, and precise shooting by Erkins-Ford, pushing their lead to 16-4 early in the first half. WKU's defense held Kentucky Wesleyan scoreless from the field for nearly nine minutes after the initial basket.
Building a Commanding Lead
With contributions from Sharron Young, Weis, and others, WKU steadily increased their advantage, leading 38-14 at halftime. Moussa Konare closed the first half with six consecutive points that included a dunk, a layup, and an alley-oop slam. The Hilltoppers extended their lead to as much as 34 points during the second half and maintained control for most of the game.
Notable Performances and Team Effort
Moore’s 26 points came on 11-of-19 shooting, including two three-pointers, paired with three rebounds, two assists, and a career-high five steals in just 24 minutes. Emondrek Erkins-Ford posted season highs with 11 points and six rebounds, along with two blocks and two steals. Gabe Weis contributed 11 points and five rebounds off the bench. Moussa Konare grabbed a team-best eight rebounds and scored eight points, while Armelo Boone and Sharron Young each dished out five assists. WKU finished the night shooting 41.6% from the field and recorded 50 total rebounds, with 21 on the offensive end.
Defensive Excellence Continues
This victory marks the second consecutive game in which the WKU defense has held its opponent to under 60 points, a feat last accomplished during the 2021-22 season. The team registered 17 steals and converted 20 Kentucky Wesleyan turnovers into 25 points. Head Coach Hank Plona noted the importance of their defensive performance, saying, "Certainly happy to get our second win of the year. Winning is not easy, and I thought the guys did enough on the defensive end to continue to get off to a good start."
Looking Ahead: Tennessee Tech Matchup
Next, the Hilltoppers will travel to Cookeville, Tennessee, for a road game against Tennessee Tech on Sunday, November 8, at the Hooper Eblen Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central Time, with live coverage available via ESPN+.
Player and Coach Reactions
Following the win, Erkins-Ford commented on the team's energetic play: "We were just trying to play confident and aggressive, no matter who was in front of us. When we play like that, it is going to be fun." Teagan Moore emphasized that the team still has room to grow at this early stage in the basketball season.
Source: wnky.com.
