Johnson, Thompson help WKU hold off Old Dominion 75-68

Jan 12, 2018, 04:17 am

NORFOLK, Va. -- Justin Johnson and Darius Thompson combined for 49 points and 9 of Western Kentucky's 10 3-pointers as the Hilltoppers defeated Old Dominion 75-68 Thursday night in a clash of Conference USA unbeatens.

Western Kentucky (12-5, 4-0) trailed by two at the break but opened the second half on a 20-9 tear to lead 50-41 with 12:22 left to play and held on to win in Norfolk for the first time since 1991.

Old Dominion (12-4, 3-1), after falling behind by as many as 11, was able to close to 68-62 when B.J. Stith canned a 3-pointer with 1:57 remaining but the Monarchs missed three of their last four shots.

Thompson made 6 of 8 at the line in the final 1:03.

Johnson scored 25 points with five 3-pointers and added 14 rebounds for Western Kentucky, Thompson scored 24 with four treys and Lamonte Bearden added 15 points.

B.J. Stith led the Monarchs, who saw a seven-game win streak come to an end, with 17 points while Ahmad Caver and Trey Porter scored 14 apiece and Brandan Stith 12. This was Old Dominion's first home loss of the season.