Jamal Crook scored 12 points and Western Kentucky overcame a poor shooting night to defeat Florida International 61-51 on Saturday night.
The Hilltoppers went 10 of 16 from 3-point range while hitting only 27.6 percent (16 of 54) of their field goals overall. FIU was only 1 of 12 from beyond the arc.
T.J. Price and Vinny Zollo each added 11 points for the Hilltoppers (7-15, 3-6 Sun Belt Conference).
Western Kentucky used a 9-0 run early in the second half to take control and lead 36-25 with 16:04 remaining. The Hilltoppers grabbed their biggest lead at 47-32 after a jumper by Crook with 8:24 to play.
FIU pulled to within five points in the final 1:12 but Western Kentucky made 7 of 8 free throw attempts the rest of the way.
DeJuan Wright had 24 points and 14 rebounds for FIU (5-15, 2-6), which dropped its sixth straight home game.
