Jacksonville State Tops Western Kentucky in Close Contest
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · E.A. Diddle Arena
Jacksonville State Gamecocks 71, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 66, 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 Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Jacksonville State Gamecocks beat Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 71-66 at E.A. Diddle Arena on February 5, 2026.
Who was favored in Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -205 (about 67% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks defeated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 71-66 at E.A. Diddle Arena. This victory marked Jacksonville State's continued dominance over Western Kentucky, as they have now won all three meetings between the two teams in the past two seasons.
Both teams entered the game with similar records, with Western Kentucky at 12-11 and Jacksonville State at 12-10. The Hilltoppers had a mixed recent form, going 5-5 in their last ten games, while Jacksonville State had a slightly better record of 6-4 in the same span. Western Kentucky's scoring average over their last ten games was 71.3 points, with an average of 72.2 points allowed, indicating a struggle on the defensive end. In contrast, Jacksonville State averaged 71.3 points scored and allowed 70.4 points, showcasing a balanced offensive and defensive performance.
At home, Western Kentucky had a record of 3-2 in their last five games, while Jacksonville State was 4-1 in their last five away games. This contest was particularly important for the Hilltoppers as they aimed to improve their home record, but they ultimately fell short.
The previous meetings between these two teams highlighted Jacksonville State's recent superiority. In their last encounter on December 30, 2025, Jacksonville State won 78-67. Earlier that season, they also edged out Western Kentucky with a narrow 85-83 victory. In the 2025 season, Western Kentucky lost to Jacksonville State 73-67 at home, further emphasizing the Gamecocks' advantage in this rivalry.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any notable absences for either team, which meant both squads were likely at full strength for this matchup.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Western Kentucky favored by 4.5 points, with a total set at 140.5. The home moneyline was listed at -205.0, while Jacksonville State's moneyline was +170.0. The odds reflected a competitive matchup, but the outcome demonstrated that the Gamecocks were more than capable of handling the pressure on the road.
The game conditions were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere at E.A. Diddle Arena typically provides a strong home-court advantage, which Western Kentucky would have hoped to leverage.
As the game unfolded, it was marked by crucial scoring plays in the second half. Ryan Myers made a pivotal layup to put Jacksonville State ahead 65-64, followed by Mostapha El Moutaouakkil making one of two free throws to extend the lead. Jacoby Hill was instrumental in the closing moments, making several free throws that pushed Jacksonville State's lead to 71-64 before LJ Hackman responded with a driving layup for Western Kentucky.
The final score of 71-66 not only secured Jacksonville State's victory but also illustrated their ability to perform under pressure, particularly in the closing stages of the game. The Gamecocks' win probability at the end of the game was recorded at 0.0 for the Hilltoppers, indicating that Jacksonville State had effectively sealed their triumph.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WKU -4.5 | 140.5 o -105 / u -115 | Jacksonville State Gamecocks +170 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -205 |
Leaders
- PointsRyan Myers20Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- AssistsArmelo Boone3Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- ReboundsBlaise Keita7Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- PointsIaroslav Niagu19Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- AssistsJaye Nash2Jacksonville State Gamecocks
- ReboundsIaroslav Niagu12Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Recent form
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Last 10: 5-5Streak W171.3 scored · 72.2 allowed per game3-2 at home
- 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
- W102-91vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 2
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Last 10: 6-4Streak L171.3 scored · 70.4 allowed per game2-3 away
- L67-74at Missouri State BearsJan 31
- W78-74at Florida International PanthersJan 29
- W75-58vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersJan 24
- W64-60vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 17
- L62-77vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 15
- L82-88at Kennesaw State OwlsJan 10
- W71-64vs Florida International PanthersJan 8
- L69-78at Liberty FlamesJan 4
- W67-64at Delaware Blue HensJan 3
- W78-67vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersDec 30
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 | Jacksonville State Gamecocks | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 17-45 | 19-62 |
| Field goal % | 38 | 31 |
| Three-pointers | 1-9 | 7-30 |
| Three-point % | 11 | 23 |
| Free throws | 36-50 | 21-24 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 88 |
| Rebounds | 45 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 32 | 22 |
| Assists | 6 | 9 |
| Steals | 4 | 8 |
| Blocks | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 3 | 3 |
| Technical fouls, total | 3 | 3 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 2 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 14 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 22 |
| Fouls | 18 | 31 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 14 | 14 |
| Time in front | 52 | 32 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half40-43Blaise Keita makes layup (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half41-43Jaye Nash makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half42-43Jaye Nash makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-43Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-43Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-45Armelo Boone makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half45-45Iaroslav Niagu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half46-45Iaroslav Niagu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-45Iaroslav Niagu makes 3-foot dunk (Jaye Nash assists)
- 2nd Half48-46LJ Hackman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-47LJ Hackman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-48Grant Newell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-49Ryan Myers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half48-50Ryan Myers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-50Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes layup
- 2nd Half50-53Ryan Myers makes 24-foot three point jumper (Grant Newell assists)
- 2nd Half51-53Iaroslav Niagu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Iaroslav Niagu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-53Iaroslav Niagu makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-55Grant Newell makes layup
- 2nd Half54-55Jacoby Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-55Jacoby Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-55Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-55Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-55Emondrek Erkins-Ford makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half59-57LJ Hackman makes driving layup
- 2nd Half60-57Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-57Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-59LJ Hackman makes driving layup
- 2nd Half63-59Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half63-62Ryan Myers makes 27-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half65-62Iaroslav Niagu makes 3-foot dunk (Mostapha El Moutaouakkil assists)
- 2nd Half65-64Ryan Myers makes layup (LJ Hackman assists)
- 2nd Half66-64Mostapha El Moutaouakkil makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-64Jacoby Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-64Jacoby Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-64Jacoby Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-64Jacoby Hill makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-64Jacoby Hill makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-66LJ Hackman makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, below favours Jacksonville State Gamecocks.
Venue
- E.A. Diddle ArenaBowling Green, KY
- Attendance3247
- OfficialsLee Cassell, Byron Jarrett, K.B. Burdett Jr.
Elsewhere
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