Last-second fouls doom short-handed Blue Hens in OT hoops loss to WKU
Story by
Last-second fouls doom short-handed Blue Hens in OT hoops loss to WKU
Kevin Tresolini, Delaware News Journal·Delaware Online | The News Journal
·
4 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Blue Hens have been doing more with less on the basketball court of late.
Their Feb. 18 Conference USA game against Western Kentucky was the latest example, but also the most glaring instance of how perilous an exercise it is.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
During a game in whichDelawaredid everything to overcome its numerous disadvantages, it was doomed by one more injury and some ill-timed fouls that not all agreed were warranted.
Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki (left) and Justyn Fernandez react after Kazanecki was charged with a foul with less one second remaining in overtime of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. The Hilltoppers’ Ryan Myers sank his free throws for the go-ahead score.
As a result, theHilltoppersprevailed 88-87 in overtime at the Carpenter Center on a night Delaware never trailed from the opening moments of regulation until the last 39 seconds of overtime.
"Two plays in game situations that went against us that are really hard to swallow," Delaware coach Martin Ingelsby said.
The crowd of 2,250 included Mike Brey, Delaware's coach from 1995-2000 before his 23-season stint at Notre Dame. Brey is now an assistant coach with the NBA'sAtlanta Hawks, who are playing the76ersinPhiladelphiaFeb. 19.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Those in attendance rooting for the Blue Hens witnessed a pair of excruciating conclusions.
Delaware was up 79-76 with five seconds left in regulation and planning to foul. But WKU's Ryan Myers was attempting a shot when Delaware was called for a foul, though it appeared on video that neither Macon Emory in front of him nor Justyn Fernandez closing in from the side likely made contact, though Fernandez was whistled.
Delaware’s Tyler Houser moves against Western Kentucky’s (from left) Grant Newell, Terrion Murdix and Blaise Keita in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Western Kentucky’s Terrion Murdix (left) works against Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Tyler Houser drives against Western Kentucky’s Grant Newell in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Christian Bliss (left) passes away from Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Western Kentucky’s Kade Unseld (left) grabs a loose ball in front of Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Former Delaware head coach Mike Brey is introduced to the crowd in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
The Delaware bench, including assistant coaches Danny O’Connor (left) and Christian Nunez and players (from left) Alex Kazanecki, Brandon Baffone and Jayden Taylor react to a three-pointer in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Western Kentucky’s Terrion Murdix (left) looks to pass past Delaware’s Christian Bliss in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez moves between Western Kentucky’s Blaise Keita (left) and Terrion Murdix in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Performers with the Padua Academy dance team take the floor at halftime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Fans record George Read Middle School cheerleaders at halftime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
George Read Middle School cheerleaders perform at halftime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Tyler Houser (top) scrambles for the ball with Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware dance team members perform in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Tyler Houser looks past Western Kentucky’s Blaise Keita in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Christian Bliss drives between Western Kentucky’s Cade Stinnett (left) and Blaise Keita in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware cheerleaders take the court in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Western Kentucky bench cheers as the Hilltoppers erase a deficit in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Inactive Delaware players react as the Hens take a lead in the final minute of the second quarter of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki are greeted at their bench after Kazanecki hit a three-pointer to give the Hens a 74-71 lead with 47 seconds to play in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Macon Emory (left) blocks a three-point attempt by Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore late in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Macon Emory (left) reacts after blocking a three-point attempt by Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore late in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
University of Delaware president Laura Carlson applauds the Hens late in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Macon Emory (5) and Justyn Fernandez react after Fernandez was called for a foul on three-point shot attempt by Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers (left) with 1.6 seconds remaining in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Meyers hit his three free throws to send the game to overtime at 79.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez drives past Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore in overtime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Christian Bliss (left) is fouled in overtime by Western Kentucky’s LJ Hackman in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Bliss hit both his free throws with 19 seconds remaining to give Delaware a 87-86 lead.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Jayden Taylor (center) and Houston Emory get tied up with Western Kentucky’s Grant Newell in the final seconds of overtime for a held-ball in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Western Kentucky received possession and scored the winning points after a foul on the final shot.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
A loose ball in the final seconds comes to Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers as Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki defend in overtime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki (obscured) converge on Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers with less than one second remaining in overtime in the Hilltoppers’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Kazanecki was charged with a foul and Myers sank two free throws for the winning points.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki (left) and Justyn Fernandez react after Kazanecki was charged with a foul with less one second remaining in overtime of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. The Hilltoppers’ Ryan Myers sank his free throws for the go-ahead points.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Western Kentucky fans cheer their team after the final moments of the Hilltoppers’ 88-87 overtime win against Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
1/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Tyler Houser moves against Western Kentucky’s (from left) Grant Newell, Terrion Murdix and Blaise Keita in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
1/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Tyler Houser moves against Western Kentucky’s (from left) Grant Newell, Terrion Murdix and Blaise Keita in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
2/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Western Kentucky’s Terrion Murdix (left) works against Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
3/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Tyler Houser drives against Western Kentucky’s Grant Newell in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
4/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Christian Bliss (left) passes away from Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
5/31
Delaware Online photos of the week: Capturing the moment
Western Kentucky’s Kade Unseld (left) grabs a loose ball in front of Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
6/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Former Delaware head coach Mike Brey is introduced to the crowd in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
7/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
The Delaware bench, including assistant coaches Danny O’Connor (left) and Christian Nunez and players (from left) Alex Kazanecki, Brandon Baffone and Jayden Taylor react to a three-pointer in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
8/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Western Kentucky’s Terrion Murdix (left) looks to pass past Delaware’s Christian Bliss in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
9/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez moves between Western Kentucky’s Blaise Keita (left) and Terrion Murdix in the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
10/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Performers with the Padua Academy dance team take the floor at halftime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
11/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Fans record George Read Middle School cheerleaders at halftime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
12/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
George Read Middle School cheerleaders perform at halftime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
13/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Tyler Houser (top) scrambles for the ball with Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
14/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware dance team members perform in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
15/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Tyler Houser looks past Western Kentucky’s Blaise Keita in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
16/31
Delaware Online photos of the week: Capturing the moment
Delaware’s Christian Bliss drives between Western Kentucky’s Cade Stinnett (left) and Blaise Keita in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
17/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware cheerleaders take the court in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
18/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Western Kentucky bench cheers as the Hilltoppers erase a deficit in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
19/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Inactive Delaware players react as the Hens take a lead in the final minute of the second quarter of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
20/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki are greeted at their bench after Kazanecki hit a three-pointer to give the Hens a 74-71 lead with 47 seconds to play in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
21/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Macon Emory (left) blocks a three-point attempt by Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore late in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
22/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Macon Emory (left) reacts after blocking a three-point attempt by Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore late in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
23/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
University of Delaware president Laura Carlson applauds the Hens late in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
24/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Macon Emory (5) and Justyn Fernandez react after Fernandez was called for a foul on three-point shot attempt by Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers (left) with 1.6 seconds remaining in the second half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Meyers hit his three free throws to send the game to overtime at 79.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
25/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez drives past Western Kentucky’s Teagan Moore in overtime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
26/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Christian Bliss (left) is fouled in overtime by Western Kentucky’s LJ Hackman in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Bliss hit both his free throws with 19 seconds remaining to give Delaware a 87-86 lead.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
27/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Jayden Taylor (center) and Houston Emory get tied up with Western Kentucky’s Grant Newell in the final seconds of overtime for a held-ball in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Western Kentucky received possession and scored the winning points after a foul on the final shot.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
28/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
A loose ball in the final seconds comes to Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers as Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki defend in overtime in Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
29/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki (obscured) converge on Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers with less than one second remaining in overtime in the Hilltoppers’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Kazanecki was charged with a foul and Myers sank two free throws for the winning points.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
30/31
Delaware Online photos of the week: Capturing the moment
Delaware’s Alex Kazanecki (left) and Justyn Fernandez react after Kazanecki was charged with a foul with less one second remaining in overtime of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. The Hilltoppers’ Ryan Myers sank his free throws for the go-ahead points.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
31/31
Blue Hens lose in overtime as Hilltoppers take advantage of last-second fouls
Western Kentucky fans cheer their team after the final moments of the Hilltoppers’ 88-87 overtime win against Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
(William Bretzger-Delaware News Journal)
Myers drained three foul shots to force OT.
There, with Delaware up 87-86 in the final seconds, WKU lost possession while looking for a go-ahead shot. But UD freshman Alex Kazanecki was called for a foul in the ensuring pursuit. Myers nailed two more foul shots with 0.9 on the clock to win it.
Delaware’s Justyn Fernandez (left) and Alex Kazanecki (obscurred) converge on Western Kentucky’s Ryan Myers as Kazanecki is charged with a foul with less than one second remaining in overtime in the Hilltoppers’ 88-87 win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026. Myers sank his two free throws for the winning points.
"Kind of a back-breaker for us right there," Ingelseby said. "We guarded the possession really well. We used a timeout. Just a tough way to end. Tough way to lose."
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Delaware (9-17 overall, 5-10 CUSA) had won three straight and four of six.
Western Kentucky improved to 15-11, 8-7. It was Delaware's first-ever meeting with the Hilltoppers, who arrived with 1,925 all-time wins, which ranks 18thin NCAA Division I men's basketball.
The Blue Hens' recent success has come despite season-long injury problems that have severely impaired player availability. Delaware has had just seven scholarship players the last six games. Only six played against WKU until freshman Jayden Taylor out of Sanford School entered in the final half-minute of OT.
It all got worse for Delaware against WKU, however. Tyler Houser, the 6-9 forward who missed last year after hip surgery, had to leave the game with a knee injury with 4:04 left and Delaware up 68-62. He had 24 points keyed by 4-for-7 3-point aim.
Former Delaware head coach Mike Brey is introduced In the first half of Western Kentucky’s 88-87 overtime win at the Bob Carpenter Center, Feb. 18, 2026.
"I feel for Tyler Houser," Ingelsby said. "He played so well in this game. He was just really playing like one of the best big guys in the league. He's been an enforcer inside.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
I hope to God he's gonna be OK but that makes us even more short-handed and these guys are already playing a ton of minutes . . . But I love our team. I really do. We're getting better."
UD players have missed 104 games, the fourth most nationally. That's reflected in court time. Point guard Christian Bliss's 39.3 minutes per game lead NCAA Division I. Justyn Fernandez is ninth (36.5) and Macon Emory 11th(36.4).
In contrast, no WKU players were averaging as many as 30 minutes per game. The Hilltoppers' depth, with a dozen players getting at least 10 minutes per game, was viewed as an asset.
"At the end of the day, two teams battling," said Bliss, who also scored 24 points. "Obviously we wanted to win. A lot things we could have done better . . . Hopefully it's a learning experience and I think we'll bounce back Saturday [at Middle Tennessee State]."
