Sergio Kerusch and Juan Pattillo had 17 points each to lead Western Kentucky to an 81-61 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday.
Trailing 7-6, the Hilltoppers (10-12, 5-5 Sun Belt Conference) went on a 14-0 run and led the rest of the way by as much as 22 points.
They shot 27 of 53 from the field and the Warhawks (6-19, 1-10) were 22 of 51.
Pattillo came off the bench to go 6 for 6 and Kerusch was 6 of 13 from the field. Kerusch also had a game-high 13 rebounds for his seventh double-double in nine games.
Western Kentucky outrebounded Louisiana-Monroe 37-27 and the Hilltoppers' bench outscored Louisiana-Monroe's bench 34-12.
Steffphon Pettigrew chipped in 16 points for the Hilltoppers, who are 1-1 on their five-game homestand.
Fred Brown led the Warhawks, who have lost six consecutive games, with 16 points and Lawrence Gilbert added 13.
