Giddy Potts added 16 points for the Blue Raiders (14-6, 6-1 Conference USA) and Karl Gamble chipped in eight points and five rebounds.
The lead changed hands five times in the first half before a final 10-3 surge by King and Karl Gamble lifted Middle Tennessee to a 29-22 lead at the break.
Potts opened the second half with a layup, a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to boost the Blue Raiders to 34-24 with 16:01 left. They led the rest of the way though Western Kentucky closed in and a 3-point play by Taveion Hollingsworth cut it to 62-61 with six seconds left before Potts and Tyrik Dixon each made a pair of free throws to seal it.
Dwight Coleby scored 19 points for the Hilltoppers (14-6, 6-1). Justin Johnson added 15 points and nine rebounds and Hollingsworth had 12 points.
