Steffphon Pettigrew scored 18 points and Sergio Kerusch had 17 points and 11 rebounds as Western Kentucky beat Florida Atlantic 57-53 Saturday night, ending the Owls' eight-game winning streak.
The Hilltoppers (9-11, 4-4 Sun Belt Conference) shot 54.2 percent (13 of 24) in the first half, which they ended with a 33-21 lead.
The Owls (16-7, 8-1) shot just 28.1 percent (9 of 32) in the first half, but they started the second with a 12-2 run that cut Western Kentucky's lead to 35-33.
The Hilltoppers used a 6-0 burst, which included a dunk by Kerusch, to go up 55-48 with 48 seconds left. A 3-pointer by Greg Gantt brought Florida Atlantic within four, 55-41, but two free throws by Jamal Crook pushed Western Kentucky's lead back to six at the 0:35 mark.
Brett Royster had 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks for Florida Atlantic. Raymond Taylor also scored 14.
