Gooch averaged 14 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4 steals per game in victories over Northern Kentucky and Florida International. The Franklin, Ky., native played 35 minutes in the home opener against NKU, posting 12 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. She also shot 80 percent from the free throw line against the Norse, and picked up a pair of steals in WKU's 12-point victory.
Just two days later, Gooch put together a 16-point, 11-rebound, 6-steal effort to help the Lady Toppers get off to a 1-0 start in conference play with a six-point victory over Florida International. The 16 points were the most by Gooch early in the season, and the six steals established a new career best. It also equaled the 15th-best single-game steal total in Lady Topper history. Gooch played 39 minutes against the Panthers, connecting on 6 of 13 shots, and going 4-for-6 at the charity stripe.
Through three games, she leads WKU in both steals (10) and rebounds (26), while ranking second in points with 40. Gooch is the first Lady Toppers to be named Sun Belt Player of the Week since Amy McNear took the honor on Nov. 24, 2009.
WKU looks to remain perfect on the year when it closes out a three-game homestand on Saturday (Nov. 24), hosting Illinois State at 5:30 p.m. (CST) at E.A. Diddle Arena.
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