BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) -Orlando Mendez-Valdez scored 24 points, including going 6-for-10 on 3-pointers, to lead Western Kentucky in a 67-59 win over South Alabama on Saturday.
Steffphon Pettigrew and A.J. Slaughter scored 13 points apiece for the Hilltoppers (17-7, 11-2 Sun Belt Conference), who have won four straight games and eight of nine.
DeAndre Coleman led the Jaguars (13-11, 6-7) with 13 points. Brandon Davis, Domonic Tilford and Ronald Douglas added 12 points each.
The Hilltoppers led by seven points at halftime and held off the Jaguars in the second half by outscoring them 34-33.
Western Kentucky hit 16 of 20 free throws, while South Alabama went just 9-for-16 from the line. The Hilltoppers also hit 7 of 19 shots from 3-point range. The Jaguars managed just two 3s in 12 attempts.
