The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated WKU 83-81 with a last second shot by Demetri Goodson. The Bulldogs will go on to the Sweet 16 in Memphis, Tenn., while WKU’s season is complete.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez shoots a three-pointer during the first half. Mendez-Valdez led all scorers with 25 points, including 7 for 10 beyond the arch.
WKU's Sergio Kerusch races after a loose ball with Gonzaga's Demetri Goodson.
Steffphon Pettigrew dives towards a loose ball as Matt Bouldin (15), Orlando Mendez-Valdez and Jeremy Evans watch.
Gonzaga's Josh Heytvelt dunks as AJ Slaughter tries to stop him.
Demetri Goodson shoots the ball with 0.9 seconds remaining to win the game for Gonzaga 83-81.
AJ Slaughter reacts as time expires and WKU's season draws to a close.
AJ Slaughter (#4) stands dejected as Demetri Goodson (#3) is swarmed by his teammates. Goodson made a game-winning shot with 0.9 seconds remaining.
WKU coach Ken McDonald walks back to the locker room after conducting his press conference. McDonald ended his first season as head coach of Western Kentucky with a 25-9 record.
For the second straight year, Western Kentucky pulled off an upset in the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament. The Hilltoppers, a 12-seed, knocked off 5-seed Illinois 76-72. Despite the close final score, WKU led held a double-digit lead much of the game. WKU will play 4-seed Gonzaga Saturday, March 21st.
WKU’s Steffphon Pettigrew (30) is guarded by Illinois guard Calvin Brock.
AJ Slaughter goes up for a layup while 7-foot-1 Mike Tisdale tries to block him. Slaughter finished the game with 14 points.
(From left to right) Steffphon Pettigrew, DJ Magley and Sergio Kerusch head towards the locker room at the end of the first-half.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez drives towards the basket. Mendez-Valdez finished the game with 11 points and 6 assists.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez takes a 3-point shot. He was 3-for-6 beyond the arch.
AJ Slaughter goes up for a layup while Mike Davis watches.
AJ Slaughter shoots a jump shot as Dominique Keller unsuccessfully tries to block him.
WKU president Gary Ransdell cheers during a second-half time-out.
AJ Slaughter shoots a 3-pointer.
Illinois head coach Bruce Weber yells at one of his players after a turnover.
Anthony Sally signals the crowds to get loud after he forced an Illinois turnover.
WKU head coach Ken McDonald screams at a referee over a controversial call that went in favor of Illinois.
Steffphon Pettigrew prepares to shoot the second of two free-throws that sealed the victory for Western Kentucky.
Sergio Kerusch laughs as he responds to being asked if he was nervous in the closing minutes of the game during the post-game press conference.
I am here in Portland, Ore., covering the NCAA basketball tournament. Today is the first day of games. The first game I covered was the Northern Iowa – Purdue game for the Des Moines Register. They can be seen here on their site, mixed in with some AP photos.
Tonight’s Western Kentucky – Illinois game is the next game I am covering. Pictures will be posted shortly after the conclusion of the game.
WKU defeated South Alabama 64-56 Tuesday night in Hot Springs, Ark to win the Sun Belt Conference. This win also secures WKU an automatic bid in the NCAA basketball tournament. WKU will find out its seed and game location this coming Sunday.
This SBC win is WKU’s second in a row. They reached the Sweet 16 in last year’s tournament.
AJ Slaughter was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez goes up for layup against South Alabama's DeAndre Coleman. Mendez-Valdez finished the game with 10 points and eight assists.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez tries to break free of a South Alabama defender.
Members of WKU hold up their Sun Belt Conference trophy.
WKU head coach Ken McDonald holds up the Sun Belt Conference championship trophy. McDonald, who is in his first year as head coach, exceeded all expectations as he led the Hilltoppers to their second straight NCAA bid.
AJ Slaughter helps cut down the net as part of a championship tradition. Slaughter was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
WKU defeats North Texas to advance to the Sun Belt Conference Finals which will be played tomorrow at 9 PM Central in Hot Springs, Ark.
Jeremy Evans (40) dunks as North Texas players George Odufuwa and Eric Tramiel watch.
WKU's Sergio Kerusch battles North Texas's Harold Stewart for a rebound. Kerusch was the player of the game. He finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
AJ Slaughter drives to the basket against Dominique Johnson. Slaughter finished the game with 22 points.
WKU fans celebrate the Hilltoppers 77-70 victory over North Texas.
WKU defeated Florida International 66-48 in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament on March 8, 2009 in Hot Springs, Ark. WKU will face North Texas next.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez led WKU with 18 points.
Sergio Kerusch goes up for a jumper as he is defended by FIU's Nikola Gacesa. Kerusch finished the game with eight points and six rebounds.
Jeremy Evans finishes off an alley-oop dunk.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez goes up for a layup against FIU's Michael Dominguez. Mendez-Valdez, who was named the player of the game, finished with 18 points.
Jeremy Evans goes up for a jumpshot as he is defended by FIU's Russell Hicks. Evans finished with 10 points.
Sergio Kerusch drives towards the basket against FIU's J.C. Otero.
Anthony Sally scrambles for a loose ball.
DJ Magley celebrates a WKU basket in the closing minutes of the second half.
Well, I’ve just arrived here in Hot Springs for the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament. Assuming WKU wins all their games, I’ll be shooting on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
The first round game is against Florida International on Sunday at 1230. Pics will be posted after the game.
