The WKU men’s basketball team (9-5, 2-0 C-USA) returned to the hardwood for a quick turnaround on Saturday evening, and the Hilltoppers picked a 68-61 home win against Rice (8-7, 0-2 C-USA) to stay unbeaten in Conference USA play in Diddle Arena.
WKU’s seven-point victory marked its fourth consecutive win against Rice, and it also gave the Hilltoppers a 5-2 advantage in the all-time series against the Owls.
Head coach Rick Stansbury, who was 3-0 in his career against Rice prior to Saturday’s game, said his team was forced to see a zone-set defense for the first time in C-USA action.