Lady Toppers Split Final Weekend, Legitimate Contender in CUSA Tournament, Start Thursday vs FIU
WKU played well enough over the last 9 games to beat anyone but MTSU and Liberty, the top two teams in CUSA. Western heads to Huntsville as the #3 seed in CUSA Tournament and play on Thursday at 2 pm.
WKU Dominant in Win at FIU from the start and Wins 83-48.
Destiny Salary #1 had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Josie Gilvin #33 added 15 points and 7 rebounds and Mackenzie Chatfield #0 added 11 points in the win. Eight of the ten players for the Lady Toppers scored and all contributed in some way. WKU shot 66% from the field, scored 30 points in the paint, snatched 12 steals, assisted 26 times and outrebounded FIU 25-18.
Western won every quarter of this game. It was another dominant game in conference USA this season. The Lady Toppers #3 will play FIU #6 on Thursday at 2 pm in Huntsville, AL in CUSA tournament.
Liberty outscores WKU in Third Quarter 28-14 to Take a Lead and Holds on to Win 74-70.
Saturday at Liberty, the Lady Toppers led 26-14 and extended the lead to 14 points a few minutes into the second quarter before Liberty started their comeback. Josie Gilvin had the best scoring game of her career scoring 31 points, six rebounds and seven steals in the losing effort.
For the first time this season, only one WKU player scored in double figures as Liberty’s defense held all other WKU players under ten points. Liberty out rebounded Western 38-24 and made three more 3-pointers. Otherwise the statistics were very even. The Lady Toppers played an overall good game, but just did not score enough points and get enough boards to win.
With the wins this week against MTSU on Thursday 61-42 and WKU on Saturday 74-70, Liberty is even with the Blue Raiders with a 16-2 conference record and captures the #1 seed for CUSA tournament on tiebreakers.
Player Spotlight of the Week - Mackenzie Chatfield #0
Mackenzie Chatfield is a 5’9” sophomore guard from Auckland, New Zealand. Mackenzie has appeared in 29 of the 30 games this season and averages 5.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Chatfield has become an important part of the Lady Toppers squad and her playing time has increased as the season has continued.
Mackenzie has been the first player off the bench most of the season and started a few games, when others were unable to play. Her ability to score from the outside, to penetrate inside, to find open players, and cheer on her teammates will be a key to success in the upcoming CUSA tournament.
Lady Toppers Travel to Huntsville, Alabama to play FIU (11-18, 7-11 CUSA) on Thursday at 2pm
FIU currently sits in 6th place after trying to win their way into a higher position by the start of the CUSA Tournament. The Panthers were able to win at WKU 80-79 in the first week of the CUSA season on the backs of Parris Atkins, Angena Belloso, and former Lady Topper Aaliyah Pitts.
Florida International is led by Isnelle Natabou averaging 14.0 points and seven rebounds, and Parris Atkins averaging 13.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. The team averages 65.2 points, 35.2 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 9.0 steals, but give up 23.2 turnovers per contest. For FIU to win again, they need to find a way to keep WKU from having four or more players in double figures as that has been Western’s road to victory over the past few games.
Conclusion - What do the Lady Toppers need to do to Win the CUSA Tournament?
The Lady Toppers were on a revenge tour this week, but fell just short against Liberty in the final game of the regular season. Play now switches to a neutral court in Huntsville, Alabama, where WKU hopes to continue their excellent play of the last several weeks and start a CUSA Tournament run with a win against FIU on Thursday. Western needs for all players to hustle at all times, get steals, play with some grit, and get three or four players into double figures in every game. Win the first game and set the table to earn a chance against the #2 seed and probably pissed off MTSU squad on Friday to make it to the finals. The key is to win the first game and find a way to win from then on.
WKU is led by Alexis Mead averages 13.3 points, Josie Gilvin averages 13.0 points, Destiny Salary averages 12.6 points, Acacia Hayes averages 11.3 points, Zsofia Telegdy averages 8.2 points and Mackenzie Chatfield averages 5.7 points per game this season. The Lady Toppers need to hit their averages and someone needs to have a special night for the rest of the season. If that happens, WKU will contend for a championship in a few days.
Attendance has been a little better at home the past few weeks. Now it is time to travel to Huntsville and prove we have the best fans in CUSA. Huntsville is only three hours from BG, a growing city and the area around the area is beautiful. So put the top down on your convertable and head south in the warm weather to cheer on the TOPS. BE LOUD and be proud!
As a second generation WKU Alumni and fan, born and raised in Bowling Green, The Red Barn, Diddle Arena and Smith Stadium, I want my home teams to do well. Unless I am sick or at work, you will find me on campus on game days cheering on the Red and White of Dear Old Western.
GO TOPS!!! Win CUSA!
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GO TOPS!!!!