Lady Topper Wins Against Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State Set Up Western at Middle TN Rematch
Western Kentucky beat the Owls 78-57 and Find a way to win in OT on Saturday against Gamecocks 68-64. Next is a Middle TN team heading home looking for revenge.
WKU Thumps the Owls 78-57
Josie Gilvin #33 led all scorers with a career high 28 points and Acacia Hayes #10 added 20 points as Western jumped out early 28-16 after the first quarter and cruised to a 21 point win. After the First quarter, Kennesaw was only able to cut the lead to 11 and the Topper lead ballooned out to 27 in the 3rd quarter. Early in the 4th quarter Western started playing substitutes and the starters got much needed rest. This was a good bounce back game after the disappointment at New Mexico State.
Player Spotlight vs Kennesaw State - Josie Gilvin #33
When watching the Lady Toppers play this season, you see passion, heart, ability, and drive for excellence. Plus, in a blink, they will steal the ball, get it up the court and score. There are multiple players on this team that fit into that mold, but Josie Gilvin is one that will be discussed today, especially after dropping a career high 28.
Josie #33, not #23 ESPN announcer, is a 6’ tall Junior from Louisville, KY whose intensity and energy is infectious to her team and will fire up the crowd. Apprenticing for three years under Master Thief Alexis Mead #3, Gilvin averages a team leading 2.5 steals per game (as does Mead) and set her career and tied the WKU single game record of 11 steals against FIU a month ago. Josie also leads the team in rebounding (5.3 per game) and blocked shots (0.9 per contest). Add in 11 points, 2.4 assists and only 1.3 turnovers per game, creating a very consistent all around ball player. Without her, this team would be in real trouble this season.
Josie has struggled at times with personal fouls. With little exception, the games where Gilvin was in foul trouble, WKU lost (Oregon St, Liberty, FIU and NMSU). So a key for Josie the rest of the season is to maintain intensity and play hard, but play under control.
Lady Toppers Outlast Gamecocks 68-64 in OT
Jacksonville State matches up very well with WKU in height and athletic ability, plus they rebound and defend well too. So this was a very different game from the tip. This game was back and forth the entire game. Western ended the first quarter up six, but that lead was erased by the end of the second quarter. Jax State got up by as much as four in the second half. The fourth quarter and overtime seesawed until WKU got ahead for good with 1:46 left and held on to win by four. Alexis Mead (#3) led all scorers with a career high 29 points and nine rebounds. Jacksonville State was led by Maria Sanchez Ponce (#71) with 20 points and nine rebounds.
Player Spotlight vs Jacksonville State - Alexis Mead #3
Josie Gilvin may be the energy person for the Lady Toppers, but Alexis Mead is the heart of the team. A leader on and off the court, this 5’4” senior point guard from Moreno Valley, California, has been a consistent player for Western all four years. Alexis has scored ten or more in 17 of the 23 games played this season. Mead is also a (on court) Master Thief who is teaching her craft to all the other players on the team. Western averages almost 12 steals per game, and Alexis Mead, Josie Gilvin, and Acacia Hayes each average more than two per game each.
For WKU to continue to be successful and have a chance to win a championship this season, Alexis Mead must continue to be consistent and have games where she is exceptional, like her career high 29 points and 9 rebounds this past Saturday. She has proven she is a very good player. Now is the time for very good players to elevate their game, bring their teammates along, and win championships.
What does Western Kentucky Need to do to Win at Middle TN on Saturday?
First of all, Middle Tennessee has been a very good basketball team for many years, but the past few seasons, they have been dominant. WKU’s win on January 23rd was shockingly unexpected, not because WKU is not good, but that MTSU has been so dominant and consistent the past 3 seasons. WKU did not play a perfect game, but found a way to win by creating and scoring off turnovers and limiting the 6’6” Anastasia Boldyreva to 17 points. Can The Lady Toppers do the same thing on the court in The Glass House? We will wait until Saturday afternoon, but for now, here’s my list:
Take care of the ball. In the shocking win in BG on January 23rd, WKU had only 5 turnovers. WKU needs to keep this 10 or less to have a chance on Saturday.
Make layups. Western needs to make the open and easy shots (layups) in transition before MTSU can set up their defense.
Be aggressive and get the ball inside, initiate contact, and draw fouls to be able to shoot free throws. Even though MTSU holds a height advantage, WKU must find ways to get inside and not rely on deep shots.
Get the ball inside and then kick out for three pointers. Part of being aggressive means the opportunity to pass to open players for higher percentage shots.
Play solid hustle WKU Lady Topper defense.
Rebound much better. On the road, teams know there will be a few more turnovers, some more missed shots, and the game is more difficult. If WKU is out rebounded by 15 this Saturday, it will be difficult to win.
Against teams that are better on paper, good teams find weaknesses and exploit them. This Saturday, The Lady Toppers must play a similar game as they did a few weeks ago and that will give them a chance to be in the game at the end. As is said often, anything can happen in a rivalry game, so drive south or tune in. It should be a wild ride.
Conclusion
Western is 17-6 overall and 8-3 sitting 3rd in CUSA just over halfway through CUSA play. WKU has eclipsed their win total from last season with the wins this week. Their fast paced, hard nosed defense, and ability to steal the ball makes this a very exciting team to watch. As a WKU Alumni and fan, born and raised in Bowling Green, I want my home team to do well, and unless I am sick or at work, you will find me at Diddle Arena on game days cheering on the Red and White of Dear Old Western.
I challenge Bowling Green, Warren and surrounding counties, students, staff, alumni, former players, friends, enemies, and anyone else reading to get your family to Diddle this season and cheer on the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams. Our stands have been far too empty. These players have worked too hard to play in a near empty gym.
GO TOPS!!! Beat MTSU!
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GO TOPS!!!!