BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) George Fant scored 24 points as Western Kentucky pulled away in the second half to beat Florida International 76-63 in a Sun Belt Conference game Thursday night.
Kevin Kaspar didn't start for the Hilltoppers (9-5, 3-0) but logged 17 points in 37 minutes, including three second-half 3-pointers.
Western Kentucky led 69-58 after two free throws by Brandon Harris, who finished with 13 points, including all seven of his free throws in the final 2:12.
The Hilltoppers, who had lost three straight, led 17-6 in the first half but the Golden Panthers (4-6, 1-2) tied it 33-33 at halftime.
Malik Smith led FIU with 20 points. Jerome Frink added 15 and Tymell Murphy 14.
Both teams lost recently to No. 4 Louisville by nearly identical scores. FIU, coached by Richard Pitino, lost 79-55 to his father Rick's squad on Dec. 19. The Hilltoppers lost 78-55 to the Cardinals last Saturday.
The Washington Capitals head to Los Angeles to take on the Kings on Monday at 10:30 p.m. ET. The Caps are second in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 32-19-7, while the Kings are scraping along the bottom of the Pacific Division with a record of 23-29-6. The Caps also beat the Kings (quite recently) 6-4 on Feb. 11.
The Kings are hoping to break out of their season slump and put an end to their four-game losing streak against the Capitals during Monday evening’s 10:30 p.m. ET game.
Here is everything you need to know about Monday’s late-night matchup, which will begin at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Washington.
CAPITALS at KINGS HOW TO WATCH
What: Washington Capitals at Los Angeles Kings, Game 60 of the 2018-19 NHL Regular Season
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, Calif.
When: Monday, Feb. 18, 10:30 p.m. ET
TV Channel: The Capitals at King game will be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington (Channel Finder Link)
Live Stream: You can live stream Capitals at Kings on NBC Sports Washington's live stream page and on the NBC Sports App.
Radio: Caps 24/7 Radio, 106.7 The Fan FM
CAPITALS at KINGS TV SCHEDULE
9:30 PM: Caps Faceoff Live
10:00 PM: Caps Pregame Live
10:30 PM: Capitals at Kings
CAPITALS at KINGS INJURY REPORT
Capitals:
Lars Eller -- lower body as of Feb. 1
Kings:
Alec Martinez -- upper body as of Feb. 15
Sean Walker -- face as of Feb. 15
Jonny Brodzinski -- shoulder as of Sept. 20
CAPITALS at KINGS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Evgeny Kuznetsov, F, Capitals (15 goals, 39 assists, 54 points): Last time the Caps faced the Kings (which was only one week ago), Kuznetsov contributed two goals and two assists to the Caps’ 6-4 victory. His timely goal finished out the game, essentially securing the Caps’ victory, NBC Sports Washington’s J.J. Reagan reported. In the two games that have happened since, Kuznetsov has given the Caps one assist and one point.
Alex Ovechkin, F, Capitals (39 goals, 27 assists, 66 points): Ovi is just shy of 40-goals and played a key role in the Caps’ latest game against the Kings. He led the team with eight shots on net, and the team captain gave the Caps the first point of the game.
CAPITALS vs. KINGS SERIES HISTORY
Number of all-time Meetings: 111
All-Time Series Record: Kings lead 60-38-13
Last Meeting: Caps win 6-4 (2/11/19)
MORE CAPITALS NEWS:
As rumors swirl that the Phillies have gained traction with Bryce Harper, Mike Rizzo spoke confidently of his current roster at spring training.
"We worry about us. We worry about the Nationals," Rizzo said at team availability. "We have a strategy and a game plan going in to each offseason.
Rizzo also said that they were prepared for this situation, and it’s not all bad.
"Our payroll is quite a bit less than it was last season, and we feel we’ve got ourselves a team that should compete in the National League to play meaningful games September and beyond," Rizzo said. "I think the front office has done a great job."
Is that meant to comfort Nationals fans preparing to mourn the end of an era? Saving money may not cushion the fall, but Mike Rizzo prioritizing those in West Palm Beach is a signal that fans should do the same.
