Trency Jackson added 14 points and George Fant had 12 points to go with nine rebounds for Western Kentucky (15-6, 8-1 Conference USA). Fant also had nine rebounds.
The Hilltoppers, who took the lead for good with a bucket from Fant early in the first half that made it 11-9, carried a 34-28 advantage into the break and padded it down the stretch.
Both teams shot comparably from the field but Western Kentucky went 24 for 32 at the free throw line while Southern Miss (6-14, 1-8) was 15 for 22.
Chip Armelin led the Golden Eagles with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Norville Carey added 16 points and Davon Hayes had 11.
