Kennesaw State Defeats Western Kentucky in High-Scoring Affair
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Propst Arena
Kennesaw State Owls 96, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 87, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
The next free pick, for your email
Team, bet, price and the hash it was sealed under, on this page the moment you send. Lose or win, it stays public.
or by email
Public record of the main pick, losses included: 115 won, 44 lost. See every pick
One free pick a day by email until you unsubscribe, in one click. 21+.
Quick answers
Who won Kennesaw State Owls vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Kennesaw State Owls beat Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 96-87 at Propst Arena on March 12, 2026.
Who was favored in Kennesaw State Owls vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers?
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -115 (about 53% implied). The underdog won.
In an exciting matchup at Propst Arena, the Kennesaw State Owls triumphed over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers with a final score of 96-87. This victory marked a significant moment for Kennesaw State, as they improved their record to 20-13, while Western Kentucky fell to 18-15.
Both teams entered this game with mixed results in their recent form. The Hilltoppers had a record of 7-3 in their last ten games but were on a two-game losing streak, having lost to Florida International and Missouri State in their most recent outings. They averaged 80.6 points per game while allowing 75.5, indicating a high-scoring offensive style but also a vulnerability on defense. In contrast, Kennesaw State had a record of 5-5 in their last ten games and was also on a two-game losing streak, with losses to New Mexico State and UTEP. The Owls averaged 76.0 points per game and allowed 74.9, showcasing a similar trend to their opponents.
When comparing home and away performances, Western Kentucky had a home record of 4-1 in their last five games, while Kennesaw State struggled on the road with an away record of 1-3. This context added an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup, as the Hilltoppers aimed to capitalize on their home advantage.
In terms of head-to-head meetings, Kennesaw State had historically fared well against Western Kentucky, holding a 3-1 advantage in their last four encounters. The most recent matchup prior to this game was on January 29, 2026, where Kennesaw State edged out the Hilltoppers 72-69. This history likely fueled the Owls' confidence heading into the game.
As for injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the performance of both teams suggested they were fielding their key players. The betting market had Western Kentucky as slight favorites, with DraftKings listing them at -1.5 on the spread and a moneyline of -115. Kennesaw State was priced at +1.5 and a moneyline of -105, indicating a competitive matchup.
The total for the game was set at 159.5, reflecting expectations for a high-scoring affair, which ultimately came to fruition as both teams combined for 183 points. The conditions inside Propst Arena were conducive for scoring, as both teams showcased their offensive capabilities throughout the game.
Key moments in the second half included a series of free throws from RJ Johnson and Teagan Moore, which helped Kennesaw State maintain their lead as the game drew to a close. Their ability to convert from the charity stripe proved crucial in securing the victory.
Overall, this game highlighted the offensive strengths of both teams, with Kennesaw State ultimately prevailing in a thrilling contest.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WKU -1.5 | 159.5 o -112 / u -108 | Kennesaw State Owls -105 · Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -115 |
Leaders
- PointsTeagan Moore27Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- AssistsTeagan Moore2Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- ReboundsTeagan Moore7Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- PointsTrey Simpson26Kennesaw State Owls
- AssistsRJ Johnson6Kennesaw State Owls
- ReboundsFrankquon Sherman10Kennesaw State Owls
Recent form
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Last 10: 7-3Streak L280.6 scored · 75.5 allowed per game4-1 at home
- L67-92at Florida International PanthersMar 7
- L74-87at Missouri State BearsMar 6
- W97-65vs UTEP MinersFeb 28
- W93-70vs New Mexico State AggiesFeb 27
- W94-73at Liberty FlamesFeb 21
- W88-87at Delaware Blue HensFeb 19
- W82-80vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersFeb 15
- W80-70vs Florida International PanthersFeb 7
- L66-71vs Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 6
- W65-60at Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersJan 31
Kennesaw State Owls
Last 10: 5-5Streak L276 scored · 74.9 allowed per game1-3 away
- L76-79at New Mexico State AggiesMar 7
- L71-78at UTEP MinersMar 6
- W90-82vs Delaware Blue HensFeb 28
- W74-65vs Liberty FlamesFeb 27
- W58-55vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 21
- W91-87at Missouri State BearsFeb 19
- L79-83vs Sam Houston BearkatsFeb 14
- L87-90vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersFeb 12
- L58-77at Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 8
- W76-53vs New Mexico State AggiesJan 31
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 | Kennesaw State Owls | Western Kentucky Hilltoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-59 | 24-55 |
| Field goal % | 51 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 6-18 | 11-24 |
| Three-point % | 33 | 46 |
| Free throws | 30-42 | 28-36 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 35 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 22 |
| Assists | 15 | 12 |
| Steals | 11 | 6 |
| Blocks | 4 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 14 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 16 | 24 |
| Points in the paint | 46 | 26 |
| Fouls | 24 | 25 |
| Largest lead | 12 | 0 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 98 | 0 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half66-63LJ Hackman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-63Braedan Lue makes layup (RJ Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half68-65Grant Newell makes layup
- 2nd Half68-66Grant Newell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half70-66Braedan Lue makes layup (Jaden Harris assists)
- 2nd Half70-67LJ Hackman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-69Teagan Moore makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half71-69Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-69Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-72Teagan Moore makes 24-foot three point jumper (LJ Hackman assists)
- 2nd Half74-72Trey Simpson makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half76-72Trey Simpson makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half76-75LJ Hackman makes 23-foot three point jumper (Armelo Boone assists)
- 2nd Half78-75Trey Simpson makes layup (RJ Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half80-75RJ Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half80-76Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-77Teagan Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-77Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-77Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half82-78Teagan Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half83-78Amir Taylor makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half83-79Grant Newell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half83-80Grant Newell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-80Amir Taylor makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half85-80Amir Taylor makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half85-81Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half85-82Teagan Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half87-82Frankquon Sherman makes layup
- 2nd Half88-82Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half88-83Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half90-83Trey Simpson makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (RJ Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half91-83RJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half92-83RJ Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half92-84Teagan Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half92-85Teagan Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half93-85RJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half94-85RJ Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half95-85Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half95-87Armelo Boone makes layup
- 2nd Half96-87Frankquon Sherman makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, below favours Kennesaw State Owls.
Venue
- Propst ArenaHuntsville, AL
- Attendance3029
- OfficialsBart Lenox, Blake Harris, Courtney Green
Elsewhere
- Projecting every Big East team's floor and ceiling for 2026-27
- 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