BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) -A.J. Slaughter scored 21 points and Western Kentucky beat New Orleans 70-60 on Saturday night.
New Orleans (8-19, 3-4 Sun Belt Conference) led 32-26 at halftime and claimed a 28-17 lead with 3:07 left in the first half, before Western Kentucky took control.
The Hilltoppers (12-6, 6-1) opened the second half with seven straight points, taking a 33-32 lead on a Steffphon Pettigrew jumper with 16:16 left.
The Privateers would only get as close as two the rest of the way, but crucial baskets by Sergio Kerusch and Slaughter kept the Hilltoppers perfect at home on the season at 8-0.
New Orleans' Kyndall Dykes led all scorers with 21 points.
Kerusch recorded his second straight double-double and fifth on the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Western Kentucky.
