Lady Toppers Survive Against FIU and Play MTSU in Semis, CUSA WBB Update Through Quarterfinal Play in Huntsville
The Western Kentucky Lady Toppers started out hot and survived the final 35 minutes against FIU. We also give you an update on the rest of CUSA.
Lady Topper Update
#3 Seed Western Kentucky University Hangs on to Win a Close One Against #6 Seed FIU 73-66
The Lady Toppers opened up their CUSA Tournament run against FIU Thursday. The game started with a 90 second drought by both teams before Alexis Mead made two free throws (two of her 12 attempted free throws on the night) to break the scoreless tie. WKU would steal their way to a 14-0 lead. FIU finally scored at the 5:50 mark of the quarter and go on a 12-5 run to cut the lead to 19-12 at the end of the quarter. The game would bounce between a 12 and 2 point Western lead the rest of the game. FIU was never able to make the shot to put them ahead, and they had chances. FIU shot 35 free throws on 25 WKU fouls and only made 19. WKU shot only 16 free throws on 16 FIU fouls and made 14. The Lady Toppers committed 18 turnovers, but forced 17 turnovers, made 9 threes, and had 38 rebounds.
The Lady Panthers were led by Isnelle Natabou with 23 points and nine rebounds. The Lady Toppers were led by Alexis Mead with 21 points, 9 assists, 4 steals and 6 rebounds. Josie Gilvin had another double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Zsofia Telegdy added 9 points, and Destiny Salary 8 points.
Acacia Hayes added 10 points before going down with an injury. Nothing extra to report on this, but we hope she will be OK soon. Other concerns from the game include Caleigh-Rose West, Alexis Mead (ankle), and Josie Gilvin (multiple hits to the face). Acacia and Caleigh are the ones most concerning. Neither returned after their injuries, although they were injured late in the game.
A win is a win, so it was a good win for WKU. The Lady Toppers will face MTSU Friday evening at 8 pm with a chance to go to the finals. They will need to be much better.
Before the Tournament, We Asked, “What does Western Kentucky Need to do to Win CUSA?”
Take care of the ball. Against better teams this number must be ten or less.
Make layups. WKU must make most of their layups or it will not go well.
Be aggressive and get the ball inside, initiate contact, and draw fouls to be able to shoot free throws. Free throws are a key to every championship.
Dribble penetrate and kick out for three pointers. Part of being aggressive means the opportunity to pass to open players for higher percentage shots.
Play solid with hustle, steal the ball, and play the WKU Lady Topper defense that leads to made layups.
After the Quarterfinal, Assuming the Tops Need to Beat MTSU And Liberty, Here’s Our More Specific List…
Interior defense must be much better. Against FIU, the Lady Toppers allowed FIU’s top three performing forwards (Aaliyah Pitts listed as a guard but is over 6’ tall) combined for 48 points, 23 rebounds, 8 assists, and a huge problem that created point #2, 17-for-25 from FT.
Stay out of foul trouble. WKU’s entire starting lineup had at least three fouls with several minutes to play. Zsofia Telegdy was saddled with fouls early and played less than 20 minutes and it really opened up the lane.
WKU’s post players need to be an offensive factor. Zsofia Telegdy is not a consistent double digit point presence, and few post players do much offensively on a normal basis for WKU. If the Tops want to dance by the end of the weekend, it’s almost impossible to see a path without WKU holding its own down low.
WKU’s guards must be excellent. The clear top four scorers for WKU are perimeter players, and then a distant fifth is Telegdy. WKU gets its points from outside, and their guards must come up with at least 40 and probably 50 or 60 in at least one of these.
Definitely another one we need to bring back: Minimize turnovers. WKU’s one win against Middle and Liberty? Five turnovers. In the others? No less than ten, and an average of 14.7. MT has to be beat straight up, but if WKU can do their job being steady, they can hang with MTSU offensively. Liberty also has good guards. It’s essential to use your pressure to make life difficult, but not get to such a frenzy that you can’t handle it yourself. These teams will be incredibly unlikely to beat themselves.
Conclusion
If The Lady Toppers hit their averages this week, they can score enough to win their games and bring home a much missed CUSA championship. Western is 23-8 and having one of their best seasons in years. Their fast paced, hard nosed defense, and ability to steal the ball makes this a very exciting team to watch. As a second generation 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 Huntsville this week and cheer on the women’s basketball team. These players have worked too hard to play in a blue gym.
CUSA Tournament Summary
#8 Seed Sam Houston State Defeats #9 Seed Jacksonville State 55-53 in First Round Game 1
This game was close throughout. Jax State had a five point lead multiple times in the first quarter, but Sam Houston kept coming back and tying. The game saw 48 fouls called and 54 turnovers committed combined. Most of those were in the first half as the teams tried to settle into tournament play. Sam Houston did see its first lead until the fourth quarter and found a way to make a few shots and get some turnovers to earn the win.
Elsie Harris led Jax State with 13 points. Sam Houston was led by Nyla Inmon with 17 and Fanta Kone with 15. Jacksonville states undoing was 31 turnovers. Sam Houston will play #1 seed Liberty on Wednesday morning at 11:30.
#7 seed Kennesaw State Owls Outlast #10 seed UTEP Miners 71-63 in First Round Game 2
This game was back and forth throughout the first half. Sam Houston led after the first quarter 16-14. UTEP led at half 37-34. Sam Houston came out outscored UTEP 20-11 in the third quarter and took control of the game. UTEP would cut the Sam Houston lead to four with 4:14 left in the fourth, but could get no closer as Sam Houston made enough free throws to stay ahead.
The Miners had two players in double figures led by Portia Adams with 24 points and 7 rebounds. The Owls had three players in double figures led by Keyarah Berry with 24 points. Kennesaw wins the right to play on against #2 seed Middle Tennessee on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm.
#2 Seed Middle Tennessee State University Beats #7 Kennesaw State 73-46 in Quarterfinal Game 1
The Blue Raiders dominated from the mid point in the first quarter until the end of the contest. Fueled by an 8-0 run to end the first quarter and a perfect 24-0 second quarter, MTSU ran away and never looked back. MT had four players in double figures and was led by Boldyreva, their 6’6” center with 29 points and seven rebounds.
#1 Seed Liberty University Defeats #8 Seed Sam Houston 78-51 in Quarterfinal Game 2
The Flames jump out to a 16-10 first quarter lead and never looked back. With eight players with eight or more points in the game, a very balanced attack, led by Asia Boone with 16 points.
#5 Seed Louisiana Tech Defeats #4 Seed New Mexico State 60-55
The Lady Techsters jumped out to a 19-10 first quarter lead and extended it to ten points at halftime. La Tech was able to hold hold, stay ahead and win by five points. It was an exciting contest. NMSU had their opportunities to tie or go ahead, but just could not make the shot to put them ahead.
New Mexico State was led by Molly Kaiser with 14 points and Fanta Gassama added 13 rebounds in the losing effort. Averi Aaron led all scorers with 18 points and added 8 rebounds. Jordan Marshall added 13 points and 13 rebounds in the win. La Tech will face #1 seed Liberty Lady Flames on Friday afternoon at 5:30pm.
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