Kerusch leads Western Kentucky past Troy 77-58

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Sergio Kerusch had 25 points to lead Western Kentucky to a 77-58 win over Troy on Saturday night.

After losing six straight games, the Hilltoppers (7-11, 2-4 Sun Belt Conference) have now won back-to-back games.

Western Kentucky scored the last seven points of the first half to go up 41-30 at the break. Kerusch had 15 points in the first period to lead all scorers.

The Trojans (4-15, 2-5) shot just 9 of 35 in the second half as the Hilltoppers were able to put the game away.

Kerusch came into the game as the Sun Belt’s leading scorer in conference games with 19.8 points per game.

Juan Pattillo and Steffphon Pettigrew each had 12 points and combined for 18 rebounds. Jamal Crook came off the bench and had eight points as well as career highs in rebounds (eight) and assists (nine).

Vernon Taylor led Troy with 20 points.