Bowling Green, Kentucky, October 23, 2025
News Summary
The WKU Hilltopper Basketball team delivered a remarkable performance in their exhibition opener, defeating Kentucky Wesleyan 82-43. The match at E.A. Diddle Arena showcased WKU’s strength with a balanced offensive strategy and a solid defensive effort, highlighted by a strong second half where they outscored their opponents 46-19. Teagan Moore led the team with 11 points as they prepared for their upcoming match against UAB.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – WKU Men’s Basketball Shines in Exhibition Opener
The WKU Hilltopper Basketball team achieved a commanding 82-43 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan during their exhibition game on October 22, 2025. The match, held at E.A. Diddle Arena, showcased WKU’s dominance on both ends of the court, highlighted by a strong second-half performance.
After a competitive first half that saw WKU lead 36-24 at halftime, the Hilltoppers came out strong, outscoring Kentucky Wesleyan 46-19 in the second half. This decisive performance underscored the team’s depth and scoring ability as they displayed a balanced offensive attack throughout the game.
Blaise Keita opened the scoring with a hook shot just under two minutes into the first half, setting the tone for WKU. The Hilltoppers built an early lead of 14-2 after Teagan Moore scored back-to-back baskets around the 13:51 mark. Despite a brief attempt from Kentucky Wesleyan to close the gap to 24-20, WKU responded with a strong 12-4 run to end the half.
The second half began explosively for WKU as they implemented a 14-2 run that featured early scores from Louie Semona, further extending their lead to 50-26. With contributions from LJ Hackman and Grant Newell, the Hilltoppers maintained control of the game, culminating in a significant lead of 73-43 with 11:29 remaining. The game concluded with an emphatic dunk by Leeroy Odiahi, complemented by four points from Cade Stinnett, solidifying WKU’s victory.
Individual Performances
Teagan Moore led WKU with 11 points, along with three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. Other key contributors included Bryant Selebangue and LJ Hackman, each contributing 10 points to the score. The defense was also a highlight, forcing Kentucky Wesleyan into 22 turnovers and making 15 steals, with Armelo Boone leading the charge with three steals.
Team Dynamics
The Hilltoppers exhibited a strong and balanced scoring attack, with contributions from all 15 available players, while freshman Lawson Rice remained sidelined due to injury. Head Coach Hank Plona expressed satisfaction with the energy and teamwork displayed by the players, as well as the support received from the home crowd during the game.
Upcoming Matches
The WKU Hilltoppers will continue their preseason preparations with their next exhibition game against UAB on October 29, 2025, at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
FAQ
What was the score of the WKU Men’s Basketball exhibition game against Kentucky Wesleyan?
The WKU Hilltopper Basketball team achieved an 82-43 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan.
When did the exhibition game take place?
The game took place on October 22, 2025.
What was the halftime score of the game?
WKU led 36-24 at halftime.
Who led WKU in scoring?
Teagan Moore led WKU with 11 points.
When is WKU’s next exhibition game?
The next exhibition game is against UAB on October 29, 2025.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | October 22, 2025 |
| Opponent | Kentucky Wesleyan |
| Final Score | WKU 82, Kentucky Wesleyan 43 |
| Halftime Score | WKU 36, Kentucky Wesleyan 24 |
| Leading Scorer | Teagan Moore (11 points) |
| Next Game | Against UAB on October 29, 2025 |
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Additional Resources
- WKU Sports: Hilltoppers Earn Exhibition Win Over Kentucky Wesleyan
- Wikipedia: WKU Hilltoppers
- WBKO: Hilltopper Basketball Earns Exhibition Win Over Kentucky Wesleyan
- Google Search: WKU Hilltoppers basketball
- WKU Herald: WKU Basketball Beats Kentucky Wesleyan in First Exhibition Game
- Google Scholar: WKU basketball
- WKU Sports: Hilltoppers Tune Up for 107th Season with Kentucky Wesleyan Exhibition
- Encyclopedia Britannica: WKU basketball
- BG Daily News: WKU Men’s Basketball Exhibition Game Recap
- Google News: WKU basketball exhibition
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