HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — A surging Tulsa team, off to its best start in years, faces a road test against Western Kentucky in a nonconference men’s basketball clash Friday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. The Golden Hurricane (10-1) bring a nine-game winning streak to town, their lone loss a one-point setback at Kansas State in mid-November. They are coming off an 83-70 victory over New Mexico State on Dec. 13, where guard Tylen Riley scored 29 points. Riley has been a consistent force, averaging 15.4 points over his last seven games and scoring 20 or more three times in that stretch. Western Kentucky (7-3) has been inconsistent, mixing dominant home wins with narrow victories and road losses. The Hilltoppers are 5-0 at home this season, most recently routing Campbellsville 102-59 on Monday. In that game, Louie Semona led a balanced attack with 16 points. Semona’s playing time and production have fluctuated, but he is capable of a breakout performance. Tulsa’s offense has been explosive, topping 100 points twice and averaging 90.5 points during its win streak. Beyond Riley, Miles Barnstable (14 points vs. New Mexico State) and Myles Rigsby provide scoring depth. Western Kentucky will counter with its own high-powered attack at home, where it averages 90.2 points. Ryan Myers (19 points vs. Campbellsville) and Armelo Boone (18 points) are key contributors. The game represents a final major nonconference hurdle for both before league play resumes. Tulsa begins American Athletic Conference action on Jan. 4, while Western Kentucky starts Conference USA play on Jan. 2. Friday’s matchup pits Tulsa’s high-efficiency offense against a Western Kentucky team that has defended its home court emphatically. The Hilltoppers will need to slow Riley and disrupt Tulsa’s rhythm to hand the Golden Hurricane their first loss since November.