Western Kentucky Wins First Conference USA Tournament Title

For the first time in program history, Western Kentucky has won the Conference USA men’s basketball tournament, securing a spot in March Madness with a hard-fought victory over UAB in the championship game.

The Hilltoppers entered the tournament as one of the top seeds but faced a tough road to the final. After surviving an overtime thriller in the semifinals, they found themselves up against a UAB team that had been one of the hottest in the conference.

Western Kentucky set the tone early with suffocating defense, holding UAB to just 35% shooting from the field in the first half. Their ability to force turnovers and capitalize on fast-break opportunities helped them build a double-digit lead by halftime.

However, UAB refused to go down without a fight. The Blazers mounted a furious comeback in the second half, cutting the lead to just two points with under five minutes remaining. That’s when Western Kentucky’s star guard, Davion McKnight, took over. He scored 10 of his team-high 24 points in the final stretch, including a crucial three-pointer that extended the lead and sealed the victory.

As the final buzzer sounded, Western Kentucky players stormed the court in celebration, knowing they had made history.

“This means everything to us,” said McKnight. “We’ve worked so hard to get to this moment, and now we’re going to the NCAA Tournament. We’re not just happy to be there—we want to win.”

With the win, Western Kentucky earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they will look to make a name for themselves against the nation’s best teams. After years of coming close, the Hilltoppers have finally reached the pinnacle of Conference USA, and they don’t plan on stopping here.