LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Western Kentucky handed first-place Liberty a decisive 94-73 defeat in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Saturday at Vines Center.

The Hilltoppers led wire-to-wire before an announced crowd of 3,922, building a 48-37 halftime advantage and maintaining control throughout the second half. Grant Newell scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Western Kentucky, which improved to 16-11. Teagan Moore also scored 21 points for the Hilltoppers.

Colin Porter scored 20 points for the Flames, who fell to 23-4. Liberty entered the game as a heavy favorite but was outscored 21-6 off turnovers and allowed 14 fastbreak points while recording none. The loss was just the fourth this season for Liberty, which had defeated Western Kentucky 76-69 on Jan. 21.