Hilltoppers enter final 2-game stretch before Bearden's return

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Lamonte Bearden (1) cheers from the bench during WKU's 91-66 win over Campbellsville on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at E.A. Diddle Arena. (Austin Anthony/photo@bgdailynews.com)Western Kentucky will take the court twice more without one of its most experienced players.

The Hilltoppers have two games left before guard Lamonte Bearden is eligible to return Dec. 16 vs. Troy.

Bearden was ruled academically ineligible before the season began. He’s already missed seven games this year for WKU (4-3) and will sit out two more – Wednesday night at Missouri State (7 p.m., ESPN+) and Saturday at Arkansas.

With Bearden unable to play in games, coach Rick Stansbury said the…