BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — In an exciting matchup on Saturday evening, Middle Tennessee achieved a hard-fought victory over Western Kentucky, with a final score of 87-77. Essam Mostafa was a standout player for the Blue Raiders, contributing significantly with 21 points and a commanding 16 rebounds.

Camryn Weston also played a crucial role, adding 20 points to the scoreboard along with seven assists. Jlynn Counter was another key contributor, finishing with 20 points and showcasing his shooting skills by hitting 8 of 17 attempts, including four three-pointers from ten tries.

On the other side, Don McHenry led the Hilltoppers with 20 points, supported by Khristian Lander, who notched 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Enoch Kalambay made his mark as well, putting up 14 points for Western Kentucky.

The game began to tilt in favor of Middle Tennessee when they seized the lead with only 1 minute and 34 seconds remaining in the first half and maintained that momentum throughout the second half. By halftime, the Blue Raiders held a five-point advantage at 44-39, with Counter having a notable first half and scoring 18 points. Weston then added 12 points in the second half, helping to secure the win for his team.

Looking ahead, both teams are scheduled to compete again on Thursday. Middle Tennessee will take on Louisiana Tech in their next game, while Western Kentucky will host Sam Houston.