Western Kentucky uses big second half to win 72-53

Dec 23, 2017, 03:23 am

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Darius Thompson scored 21 points, Taveion Hollingsworth added 20 and the pair led a second-half surge that carried Western Kentucky to a 72-53 victory over Austin Peay on Friday night.

Trailing by two at halftime, the Hilltoppers (8-5) took off in the second half behind 16 points from Hollingsworth and 13 from Thompson, shooting 61 percent. Lamonte Bearden added 14 points for Western Kentucky, which finished at 59 percent shooting for the game.

The Hilltoppers led 49-48 then outscored the Governors 23-5 the rest of the way. Austin Peay made only three of its final 21 shots over the last 16 1/2 minutes while turning the ball over nine times.

Ed Stephens scored 13 points off the bench and Terry Taylor had 11 for Austin Peay (5-7).

Western Kentucky leads the all-time series against the Governors 41-14 and has won nine straight dating back to 2001.