On January 25, 2024, WKU faced off against the FIU Panthers in Bowling Green, KY. It was the annual “Block Out Cancer” Game, so the crowd wore pink shirts and passionately cheered on the Tops during their high-scoring 105-91 victory over the Panthers.
This was the inaugural “Pink Out” game where the Hilltoppers fans and the team demonstrated their support for cancer survivors. This event was aided by Bowling Green’s Med Center Health, which provided the first 5,000 fans with a pink “Block Out Cancer” shirt. The initiative featured auctions and fan donations, allowing supporters to purchase items such as Dontaie Allen’s warm-up shirt or even four tickets behind the WKU bench. Western Kentucky successfully raised $4,200 in donations, which went towards Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society.
Challenging First Half for WKU:
The game initially appeared to be a closely contested battle for the Hilltoppers. It ended with a buzzer-beater from Panthers’ guard Javaunte Hawkins, resulting in a 49-46 score in favor of Western Kentucky. Despite the close score, the game felt less competitive than the numbers suggested. The Panthers encountered early foul trouble, with two key players (Dashon Gittens and Mohamed Sanogo) facing restrictions throughout the game.
Photo Cred: Jacob Grabeel III
WKU shot 57.1% from the field, with Dontaie Allen leading the charge with a remarkable 14-point first half at an impressive 80% shooting. This was already double his season average! Although the team struggled with three-point shooting initially, they rallied towards the end of the half. Allen contributed two key three-pointers to elevate the team’s three-point percentage to 42.9%.
FIU remained competitive by consistently launching three-pointers, preventing the Tops from ever establishing a substantial lead. Despite the Panthers shooting 41% from the field and attempting 20 three-pointers, their three-point percentage reached 50%! With 30 points coming from threes, WKU found it challenging to pull away from Florida International.
Photo Cred: Jacob Grabeel III
The Hilltoppers Surge in the Second Half:
In the second half, the Tops showcased their skills, with Dontaie Allen leading the charge. His stellar performance saw him end the game going 9-for-11 from the field and an impressive 5-for-7 from three-point range. This game marked a milestone for Allen, as he achieved his first 30-point game with WKU.
Photo Cred: Jacob Grabeel III
Head coach Steve Lutz commented, “You know, nobody has ever lost confidence in Dontaie and Dontaie works hard. He does the right things, and he deserves to be rewarded. So, like, as long as he sticks with it, he’s going to continue to have his nights, you know, and I say that with all of them.”
The Hilltoppers had a commanding 12-0 run within the first three minutes of the half, and they didn’t take their foot off the pedal until the game was out of reach for the Panthers. Florida International attempted many shots with about five minutes left in the game in order to salvage the situation. FIU would end up losing by 14 only, even though they trailed by 20 for most of the half.
Photo Cred: Jacob Grabeel III
A Good Win to Look Forward To:
This win was significant for Western Kentucky, especially after a rough two-game road skid. They faced setbacks in both losses, with second-half struggles proving costly, particularly in the New Mexico State game. Despite holding a 25-point lead with 14 minutes remaining, WKU suffered a 70-72 defeat.
In this home game, the Hilltoppers secured a majority of their season-high 105 points during the second half. This performance certainly gives hope to the fans that their team can reclaim the top spot in the conference. Their upcoming match against Sam Houston on Thursday, February 1st, 2024, holds added significance, as the Bearkats are currently tied for first place in the C-USA.
