BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (1/27/08) ? Despite fighting back several times throughout the game behind the shooting of Ryan Wedel and
Kewain Gant, Arkansas State succumbed to Western Kentucky, 77-68, in a key Sun Belt Conference game here Sunday afternoon.
Wedel pumped in 23 points and Gant added 16 more to lead the Indians. It marked the fifth game for Wedel to post a 20-plus point scoring performance and the 16 points tied Gant's career high. Down as much as 18 points, ASU continued to battle back only to be thwarted at the end by the Hilltoppers who now stand 16-5 overall and 8-1 in league play. ASU is 9-11 and 4-6.
“I am so proud of these guys,” said ASU Head Coach Dickey Nutt. “They played with a lot of heart and are capable of beating anyone. Gant had an outstanding day. He called for the ball on every occasion. He was a force inside in the second half.”
Throughout the game, the Indians had to contend with WKU's Courtney Lee who poured in a career-high 33 points. Lee hit nine-of-15 from the field, including five three-pointers, and connected on 10 of 13 free throws. Teammate Tyrone Brazelton added 20 points.
Trailing by 15 at the half, 42-27, WKU came out in the second period and Lee went to work to help the Hilltoppers take their biggest lead of the day by 18 with a score of 56-38. However, the Tribe mounted a comeback attempt behind the efforts of Gant and Wedel, along with the defense of Shawn Morgan.
Mike Lance hit a short jumper and Wedel popped in a three to cap a 19-4 run by the Indians and cut WKU's lead to three, 60-57 with 5:21 left in the game.
Western surged again behind Lee and company, but ASU refused to give up, cutting a 12-point lead again to seven. Lance's three-point attempt fell short which would cut the lead to six with 18 seconds and Lee made good on a three-point after being fouled by Wedel to seal the Hilltopper win.
“Wedel's knee is still bothering him a little,” continued Nutt. “But, he's so tough and wants to win. And, Shawn Morgan always gives us energy. Mike Lance and P.J. Keaton also played well.”
ASU's leading scorer Adrian Banks did not play with a high ankle sprain. Banks played only seven minutes in last week's game with Florida International.
The Indians step out of conference competition to travel Utah Valley State Wednesday evening. “We've got to get everyone well and get ready to play,” said Nutt.
END
