BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Khristian Lander delivered an exceptional performance, leading Western Kentucky to a 78-74 victory over UTEP.
Lander finished the game with a remarkable 28 points, showcasing his shooting prowess by hitting 11 out of 15 attempts from the floor, which included 4 out of 6 from three-point territory, contributing significantly to the Hilltoppers’ win.

Alongside Lander, Don McHenry made his presence felt by adding 20 points to the scoreboard. He achieved this by shooting 5 for 11 overall, with 2 of those attempts coming from beyond the arc, and he excelled at the free-throw line, sinking 8 of 11 attempts.
Enoch Kalambay also contributed to the team’s success with 10 points, having shot 4 for 8, which included 1 for 4 from three-point range.

For UTEP, David Terrell Jr. was a standout player, closing out the game with 15 points, while also dishing out eight assists and making four steals. Otis Frazier III made an impact as well, scoring 11 points along with seven rebounds and four steals, while Devon Barnes contributed another 11 points, coupled with six assists and three steals.

In the first half, Lander was instrumental in establishing the Hilltoppers’ lead, scoring 12 points and helping Western Kentucky edge the Miners with a halftime score of 34-32.

Overall, this hard-fought victory highlights the growing competitiveness of both teams within Conference USA as they strive for success in the season.