Juan Pattillo scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half to lead Western Kentucky past Alabama A&M 83-61 on Monday night.
Pattillo, playing his first home game after transferring from Oklahoma, also had 12 rebounds for his second double-double in as many games. Steffphon Pettigrew added 19 points, and Brandon Peters 11 for the Hilltoppers (2-0).
Tied at 16-16, the Hilltoppers outscored the Bulldogs 36-16 for a 52-32 halftime lead.
Western Kentucky then struggled after halftime, making just two of its first 10 from the field, but finished with a 51.4 shooting percentage (18 of 35) in the second half.
The Hilltoppers shot 28 for 55 in the the game (50.9 percent), overcoming a 48 percent effort from the free-throw line (24 of 50).
Cornelius Hester led three Bulldogs (1-1) in double figures with 13 points. Casey Cantey and Desmond Jackson added in 10 points each.
