Wednesday, February 27th, 7:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Pharmed Arena (5,000) -- Miami, Florida. Television: None. Home Record: WKU 13-1, FIU 8-7. Away Record: WKU 8-3, FIU 1-10. Neutral Record: WKU 1-2, FIU 0-0. Conference Record: WKU 14-2, FIU 6-10. Series Record: Western Kentucky leads, 19-3.

GAME NOTES: As the season winds down, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will try to remain in the win column when they battle the Florida International Golden Panthers this evening in a Sun Belt tilt at Pharmed Arena. The Hilltoppers are currently 14-2 in SBC play and are tied with South Alabama in the East Division. However, WKU's two setbacks both came against the Jaguars. The last time the Hilltoppers were on the floor, they grabbed an 86-75 win over UL- Monroe, pushing their home record to 13-1 on the season. As for the Golden Panthers, their three-game win streak came to an end this past weekend, as the team was defeated by Troy, 66-59. With the loss, FIU is now a mere 6-10 in Sun Belt Conference action. The majority of the success this year for the Golden Panthers has occurred on the team's home floor, as FIU has posted eight of its nine victories at Pharmed Arena. With respects to the all-time series between the two schools, the Hilltoppers have dominated FIU, winning 19 of the 22 matchups. WKU has won the last five contests against the Golden Panthers, including a 76-60 victory earlier this season.

The Hilltoppers are a well-balanced team that has enjoyed plenty of success at both ends of the court this season. Western Kentucky is currently producing 77.0 ppg, while limiting the opposition to just 65.7 ppg. This past weekend, the Hilltoppers used their offensive prowess to grab a much needed win over UL-Monroe. In the win, WKU shot a strong 51.7 percent from the floor and made 20-of-27 shots from the foul line. Courtney Lee, who is pacing the team with 21.1 ppg on the season, tallied a team-high 26 points in the win over ULM. D.J. Magley was the only other player in double figures in the victory, as the forward tallied 10 points in just 12 minutes of action off the bench. Tyrone Brazelton, who is posting 13.0 ppg and has a team-best 109 assists, struggled against the Warhawks, chipping just six points, while committing four turnovers.

Unlike their counterpart, the Golden Panthers have struggled offensively, as the team is averaging just 64.7 ppg, while shooting 44.8 percent from the field. Alex Galindo is currently pacing the team with 13.3 ppg and 6.9 rpg. Russell Hicks is the only other player netting double figures, as the center is netting 12.8 ppg to go along with 6.3 rpg and 52 blocks. The Golden Panthers' offensive woes continued this past weekend, as the team scored just 59 points in a loss to Troy. In the setback, the Golden Panthers shot 47.8 percent from the floor, but made just 5-of-15 three-point attempts and committed 22 turnovers. Galindo was the only player to finish with double-digit points, as the forward dropped 28, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. As for Hicks, he posted just eight points and grabbed just five caroms.

The Hilltoppers are clearly better than the Golden Panthers and should have no trouble posting a win in this matchup. Expect Lee and company to push WKU's league mark to 15-2 on the year.

Predicted Outcome

Western Kentucky 74, FIU 58