Western Kentucky Defeats Florida International 80-70
Saturday, February 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · E.A. Diddle Arena
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 80, Florida International Panthers 70, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Florida International Panthers vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers beat Florida International Panthers 80-70 at E.A. Diddle Arena on February 7, 2026.
Who was favored in Florida International Panthers vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -198 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers emerged victorious against the Florida International Panthers with a final score of 80-70. This game, held at E.A. Diddle Arena, showcased the Hilltoppers' ability to capitalize on their home court advantage, improving their home record to 13-11 while the Panthers fell to 11-12 on the season.
Both teams entered the game with similar recent form, each holding a 4-6 record over their last ten games. However, the Hilltoppers were on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 66-71 just a day prior. In contrast, the Panthers were coming off a win against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, where they triumphed 88-84. The scoring averages further highlighted their contrasting styles; Western Kentucky averaged 67.7 points scored and 70.2 points allowed in their last ten games, while Florida International averaged 76.9 points scored and 77.6 points allowed.
At home, Western Kentucky had a record of 2-3 in their last five games, with an average of 65.4 points scored and 70.4 points allowed. Florida International, on the other hand, had a mixed away record of 2-4 in their last six games, averaging 76.6 points scored and 79.8 points allowed. This disparity in scoring averages suggested that while both teams had their struggles, the Panthers were more offensively potent but also more defensively vulnerable.
In terms of their previous meetings, the Hilltoppers had a record of 1-2 against the Panthers in the last season, with their last encounter resulting in a loss for Western Kentucky at home, where they fell 61-64. This history added an intriguing layer to the matchup, as the Hilltoppers sought redemption on their home court.
Injury reports did not indicate any significant absences for either team, allowing both squads to field their primary players. This was crucial as both teams relied heavily on their starting lineups to execute their game plans effectively.
The betting lines from DraftKings indicated that Western Kentucky was favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 159.5. The odds suggested a competitive game, with the Hilltoppers expected to win but not by a large margin. The over/under odds were -115.0 for the over and -105.0 for the under, reflecting a balanced expectation for scoring.
Conditions for the game were favorable, with no adverse weather affecting the indoor venue. Fans were treated to an exciting atmosphere as the teams battled it out on the hardwood.
As the game progressed, key moments defined the outcome. In the second half, Western Kentucky maintained control, with significant contributions from players like Armelo Boone, who made a crucial dunk assisted by Terrion Murdix, and Cam Haffner, who added valuable free throws to extend the lead. The Hilltoppers' ability to execute in critical moments proved vital, especially as they built a lead that the Panthers could not overcome.
Overall, the game highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, with Western Kentucky showcasing their resilience at home and Florida International demonstrating their offensive capabilities despite the loss. The Hilltoppers' victory not only improved their standing but also set the stage for future matchups, as both teams continue to navigate the competitive landscape of NCAAB.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WKU -4.5 | 159.5 o -115 / u -105 | Florida International Panthers +164 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -198 |
Leaders
- PointsGrant Newell23Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- AssistsTerrion Murdix6Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- ReboundsBlaise Keita10Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- PointsZawdie Jackson17Florida International Panthers
- AssistsBrit Harris5Florida International Panthers
- ReboundsEric Dibami6Florida International Panthers
Recent form
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Last 10: 4-6Streak L167.7 scored · 70.2 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L66-71vs Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 6
- W65-60at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersJan 31
- L69-72at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 29
- L58-73at Sam Houston BearkatsJan 24
- L69-76vs Liberty FlamesJan 22
- L65-81vs Kennesaw State OwlsJan 17
- W87-72vs Missouri State BearsJan 15
- W68-56at UTEP MinersJan 10
- L64-80at New Mexico State AggiesJan 9
- W66-61vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 4
Florida International Panthers
Last 10: 4-6Streak W176.9 scored · 77.6 allowed per game2-4 away
- W88-84at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersFeb 5
- L74-78vs Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 29
- W81-78at New Mexico State AggiesJan 24
- L77-83at UTEP MinersJan 23
- L63-76vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 17
- L86-89at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 15
- L71-79at Missouri State BearsJan 10
- L64-71at Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 8
- W76-64vs UTEP MinersJan 4
- W89-74vs New Mexico State AggiesJan 2
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Florida International Panthers | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 24-56 | 28-76 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 37 |
| Three-pointers | 7-17 | 13-37 |
| Three-point % | 41 | 35 |
| Free throws | 15-19 | 11-13 |
| Free throw % | 79 | 85 |
| Rebounds | 37 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 10 | 21 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 23 |
| Assists | 18 | 18 |
| Steals | 6 | 7 |
| Blocks | 4 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 20 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 28 |
| Fouls | 12 | 15 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 12 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 55 | 36 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half43-40Eric Dibami makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-40Eric Dibami makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-43Kade Unseld makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ryan Myers assists)
- 2nd Half44-46Grant Newell makes 28-foot three point jumper (Blaise Keita assists)
- 2nd Half46-46Eric Dibami makes 14-foot jumper (Ashton Williamson assists)
- 2nd Half46-49Grant Newell makes 24-foot three point jumper (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half49-49Corey Stephenson makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ashton Williamson assists)
- 2nd Half49-51Blaise Keita makes layup
- 2nd Half49-52Grant Newell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-53Grant Newell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-55Terrion Murdix makes driving layup
- 2nd Half50-55Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-55Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-57Terrion Murdix makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-57Corey Stephenson makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half53-60Cam Haffner makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ryan Myers assists)
- 2nd Half54-60Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-60Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-63Ryan Myers makes 23-foot turnaround jump shot (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half58-63Zawdie Jackson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Brit Harris assists)
- 2nd Half61-63Brit Harris makes 24-foot three point jumper (Corey Stephenson assists)
- 2nd Half61-65Grant Newell makes layup
- 2nd Half62-65Brit Harris makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half63-65Brit Harris makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half63-66Ryan Myers makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half63-67Ryan Myers makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half63-68Ryan Myers makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half63-70Blaise Keita makes layup (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half64-70Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-72Ryan Myers makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-72Zawdie Jackson makes driving layup (Brit Harris assists)
- 2nd Half66-73Blaise Keita makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-74Blaise Keita makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-74Zawdie Jackson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-76Armelo Boone makes 2-foot dunk (Terrion Murdix assists)
- 2nd Half67-78Blaise Keita makes 3-foot dunk (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half68-78Corey Stephenson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-79Cam Haffner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-80Cam Haffner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-80Eric Dibami makes 10-foot hook shot (Thiago Sucatzky assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, below favours Florida International Panthers.
Venue
- E.A. Diddle ArenaBowling Green, KY
- Attendance3145
- OfficialsKevin Mathis, Ryan McCarty, Matt Jarman
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond