WKU-UNO Meet in Sun Belt Network Men’s Basketball Game of the Week - SunBeltSports.org—Official Web Site of the Sun Belt Conference

WKU-UNO Meet in Sun Belt Network Men’s Basketball Game of the Week

Updated: 01/29/2010 13:00:35 (ET)
By Sun Belt Conference

Share |

After a disappointing loss to North Texas in which Steffphon Pettigrew connected on a buzzer-beater from just inside half-court to force overtime, Western Kentucky University (11-10, 4-5 SBC) will look to get back on the winning track when they host New Orleans on Saturday, January 30 at 3:00 PM at Diddle Arena. The game will be carried live on the Sun Belt Network.

For the first time since 1998-99 WKU has lost four consecutive conference games and will look to AJ Slaughter, Jeremy Evans, and Pettigrew for leadership and scoring against the Privateers. Slaughter leads the SBC in scoring averaging 16.9 points per contest while Pettigrew is averaging 14.9 and has scored double figures in 19 games this season. Evans is shooting over 60% from the field while averaging seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Hilltoppers.

After early season success, one reason for WKU's current struggles is the absence of Sergio Kerusch (13.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) who has been out the past 13 games with a foot injury. Kerusch is due back mid February.

New Orleans is led by senior Charles Carmouche who is averaging 12.9 points this season. The Privateers know they will need to shut down WKU's stars and have had some success this season making team rely on their role players. Earlier in the week UNO held current SBC Player of the Week and Middle Tennessee All-Sun Belt forward Desmond Yates to just five points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Around the SBC
Matt Mouzy scored 17 points and Derrick Bails added 15 to lead Arkansas-Little rock to a 69-57 victory against Denver on Thursday night.

Troy (11-10, 6-4 Sun Belt Conference) shot 57.9 percent from the 3-point line (11-for-19) to complete the season sweep of Louisiana-Monroe (9-13, 4-7).

Greg Gantt scored 21 points as Florida Atlantic used two big runs to defeat South Alabama 70-59 on Thursday night and win its fourth straight game.

Brandon Reed scored 19 points to help Arkansas State fend off a late run by Louisiana-Lafayette and hang onto a 62-60 win on Thursday night.