Photo by WKU Athletics
Basketball season returned to The Hill on Thursday night as WKU hosted its annual tip-off event, Hilltopper Hysteria presented by associate sponsors Complete Nutrition, Hilltop Club and Overtime Sports Bar and Grill, at E.A. Diddle Arena.
The Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball programs were on display for two hours, and the night featured player and coach introductions, scrimmages by both programs, shooting challenges, performances by the WKU Cheerleaders and Topperettes and an autograph session to end the festivities.
In the men’s scrimmage, the White team picked up a 46-34 win over the Red. Charles Bassey led the way with 17 points and six rebounds and was joined in double figures by Matt Horton (14), Josh Anderson (13) and Jared Savage(12). Anderson had a well-rounded game and added three rebounds and three assists, and Marek Nelson poured in eight points, four rebounds and two assists. Dalano Banton dished out a team-best six assists during the 15-minute scrimmage.
In the women’s scrimmage, the Black squad took the win over the Red team, 30-16. Alexis Brewer was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and tallied nine points with seven rebounds, and Raneem Elgedawy knocked down her last four shots to finish with nine points and six boards for Black as well. For Red, Dee Givens led the way with six points and two rebounds, and Terri Smith finished with four points on the night.
In the Shooting Stars Challenge, the team of Moustapha Diagne, Sidnee Bopp and a Rick’s Rowdies member won two rounds of being the quickest squad to make a layup, free throw, three-pointer and a half-court shot, beating the teams of Meral Abdelgawad and Lamonte Bearden and Whitney Creech and Marek Nelson.
Alexis Brewer and Jake Ohmer paired with a Rick’s Rowdies member to win the three-point contest, knocking down 22 combined triples in 60 seconds. Raneem Elgedawy and Taveion Hollingsworth placed second while knocking down 19 shots from deep, and Dee Givens and Jared Savage had 18 makes.
Matt Horton, Dalano Banton and Charles Bassey of the men’s squad and Jae’Lisa Allen, Kayla Smith, Myriah Noodel-Haywood and Kallie Searcy of Lady Topper Basketball judged the kids’ dunk contest.
The Hilltoppers will host an open scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. inside Diddle Arena before welcoming Campbellsville (Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.) and Kentucky Wesleyan (Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.) for a pair of exhibition matchups. WKU will open the regular season with a road trip to the Pacific Northwest, squaring off against Pac-12 foe Washington at 9:30 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
The Lady Toppers will kick off their 2018-19 slate with an exhibition tilt against West Virginia State inside Diddle Arena at 6 p.m. on Nov. 1 before opening the regular season with a premier home matchup against 2018 Final Four participant Louisville at 7 p.m. inside Diddle on Nov. 6.
Season tickets are now available for Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball! Season tickets remain for $105 on the 200-level of Diddle Arena for the men and plans begin at $43 for the women across the arena.
Family Plan tickets are available for Lady Topper Basketball in the 200-level of Diddle Arena for only $25 each when purchased in groups of four or more; the Hilltopper Basketball family plan includes four tickets for $364 located in Section 309. Don’t miss the excitement of Hilltopper and Lady Topper Basketball!
Courtesy of WKU Athletics
