Lady Toppers Take Care of Business at Diddle and Stay Within Striking Distance of Liberty for #2 Seed.
WKU secures #3 seed with home wins against UTEP on Thursday and New Mexico State on Saturday. Lady Tops now set their sights on revenge at FIU and Liberty to set themselves up for CUSA Tournament.
WKU Dominates UTEP from the tip and Wins 81-58.
Josie Gilvin #33 scored 13 of her game high 21 points in the first quarter and added 11 rebounds to achieve her fourth straight game with a double-double. Alexis Mead #3 scored 15 points and 11 rebounds and earned her first double-double of her illustrious career. Destiny Salary #1 scored 17, Acacia Hayes #10 scored 12 points and Zsofia Telegdy #23 scored 8 points in the victory. This was a total team effort. Eleven Lady Toppers played in this game and all contributed both offensively and defensively.
WKU shot 50% from the field, scored 40 points in the paint, snatched 12 steals, assisted 18 times and outrebounded UTEP 39-26. This was as dominant as a game as Western has had in a while. If this continues, CUSA better look out.
After Dominating 30 Minutes of the Game, WKU holds on to Beat NM State 85-68.
At the end of the third period, WKU led 69-37 and extended the lead to 36 points a few minutes into the fourth quarter. The UTEP game was incredible, but the first three quarters plus of this game were amazing to behold. The Lady Toppers totally dominated. Alexis Mead led all scorers with 23 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, almost a triple-double. Josie Gilvin scored 18 points, had six rebounds and four steals. Destiny Salary scored 17 points and had seven rebounds. Mackenzie Chatfield came off the bench and scored 11 points after Acacia Hayes went to the bench early in the first quarter. Acacia did not return. Hopefully she is OK, but we know nothing of her status at this time.
As both teams started pulling starters from the game in the fourth quarter, New Mexico State was able to cut deeply into the WKU lead and got it down to 17 when the final buzzer sounded. Josie Gilvin was pulled at the end of the third quarter. Seniors Destiny Salary, Alexis Mead, and Mariama Sow were pulled to standing ovations over the last few minutes of the game. It was special moments and I hope the players felt the love and appreciation from the crowd.
Player Spotlight of the Week - Acacia Hayes #10
Acacia Hayes is a 5’7” junior guard from Murfreesboro, TN. Acacia has appeared in 26 of the 28 games this season and averages 11.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Hayes is an integral part of the Lady Toppers squad since arriving in 2022 as was obvious after being injured much of 2023-2024 season and the team struggled in her absence.
Acacia brings an uncanny athleticism, the ability to score from anywhere on the court and plays great defense also. She is a key player heading into the last week of conference play and into the CUSA Tournament.
Lady Toppers Travel to FIU (11-16) on Thursday at 6:30
FIU currently sits in 6th place 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 7 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.
Western Looks for the #2 Seed with a Win Against Liberty (21-6) at 1pm
Liberty currently holds the #2 seed in CUSA behind MTSU by one game and is seeking to win both games (MTSU and WKU) this week and take over the #1 seed. MTSU won their first matchup with Liberty 69-41 and looks to win another CUSA regular season. Liberty must win one of the games this week or they will fall into the #3 seed behind the Lady Toppers, assuming the Lady Toppers beat FIU, as well. What more could the conference wish that for the top of the conference to square off this week?
The Liberty Flames are led by Bella Smuda who averages 11.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Asia Boone and Emma Hess add 10 points per game each. The Flames average 72.4 points, 39 rebounds, 15.5 assists, and 6.6 steals per game, so they are a formidable team and have a good chance to win both games this week. They seem to match up pretty well with the Lady Tops in recent history and just need to do what they have been doing at home…win. It’s a tall task to take down Liberty at Liberty, but the Lady Tops have been playing really good basketball of late and seem locked in and ready to go fight for it in Huntsville
Conclusion - What do the Lady Toppers need to do to Win both Games?
The Lady Toppers are on a revenge tour this week. Playing the two teams that beat them at home earlier this season, they must stay focused and need to continue playing well. FIU is a good team, especially at home, so WKU needs for all players to get their averages, hustle at all times, and play with some grit. Win the first game and set the table to earn the #2 seed with a win on Saturday afternoon against Liberty. Liberty is formidable, but WKU can find ways to exploit their weaknesses and must if they wish to be the #2 seed.
WKU is led by Alexis Mead averages 13.8 points, Destiny Salary averages 12.4 points, Josie Gilvin averages 12.3 points, Acacia Hayes averages 11.5 points, and Zsofia Telegdy averages 8.3 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 couple weeks.
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, and 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.
Attendance has been a little better and more vocal at the last few men’s games, and the Lady Topper attendance was much better this week. Come on out to Diddle for the last two games of the season. BE LOUD and be proud!
GO TOPS!!! Win CUSA!
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GO TOPS!!!!