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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Southern Miss shot 54.2 percent and outscored the Lady Toppers by eight in the second half as the Lady Eagles escaped Bowling Green with a 63-61 win over WKU on Saturday in E.A. Diddle Arena.
After WKU took a 58-57 lead on a basket from redshirt sophomore Kendall Noble with 2:28 left, the Lady Eagles responded with baskets by Tamara Jones and Jerontay Clemons to go up 61-58. Brooke Rhodes and Alex Coyne added free throws in the final minute to secure the win.
WKU (18-4, 7-2) shot just 3-of-12 from the free throw line and just 6-of-23 from behind the three-point arc in the loss.
Senior Chastity Gooch had 17 points to lead the Lady Toppers while senior Alexis Govan added 15 points and nine rebounds. Noble finished with nine points, seven rebounds and six assists.
It was a milestone day for Gooch as she became the fifth player in WKU history to reach 1,000 career rebounds and the fourth player in WKU history to reach 1,500 career points and 1,000 career rebounds, joining Crystal Kelly (2,803 points, 1,258 rebounds), Lillie Mason (2,262 points, 1,012 rebounds) and ShaRae Mansfield
The Lady Toppers used multiple spurts in the second half to take a lead, including a lead at 52-47 with just over 7 minutes remaining in the gmae and again at 58-57 with 2:28 remaining, before Southern Miss was able to respond.
Southern Miss (13-7, 6-3) got on the run throughout the game, getting 14 points in transition on the day.
The Lady Toppers return to the court next week in a pair of games in the Lone Star State, traveling to North Texas on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. CT and Rice on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Following the two-game swing to Texas, the Lady Toppers return home for a three-game home stand.
The Lady Toppers will host Marshall on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 on Play4Kay Day in E.A. Diddle Arena at 1:00 p.m. CT. Individuals are encouraged to wear pink in support of the Kay Yow Foundation and breast cancer awareness. Donation buckets will be available at the door and WKU will host a silent auction to support the cause. Fans can also donate online at http://www.play4kay.org/wkuladytoppers. It is also Daddy/Daughter Date Night in E.A. Diddle Arena where all father/daughter couples can purchase one adult ticket and receive a youth admission for free. The Party 1 Kids Zone will also be available one hour prior to tipoff on the third level concourse with inflatables for kids. Fans can also purchase two tickets to the game for only $15 and receive a coupon for a free small pizza from Mr. B's.
WKU hosts UAB on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. CT and then welcomes rival Middle Tennessee to E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. CT for the only meeting between the teams this season.
Single-game tickets for all Lady Topper Basketball home games are on sale now and can be purchased online at WKUSports.com or by calling the WKU Ticket Office at 1-800-5-BIG RED or 745-5222 locally.
Students receive free admission to all Lady Topper Basketball games. Members of the Red Wave, WKU's student support group, are encouraged to Bring a Friend to the Game for the remainder of the season for the chance to win great prizes. Students can check in at the Red Wave Table at the student entrance of E.A. Diddle Arena for more information.
Fans can also participate in the new Lady Toppers U Win Program for the remainder of the 2014-15 season. Fans that buy a $10 upper level reserved seat to any home game will receive a free ticket to the each of the next WKU home games as long as the Lady Toppers continue to win. For example, if WKU wins the next 10 home games after fans purchase their $10 upper level reserved seat, they will receive a free ticket to each of the 10 ensuing home games for the remainder of the 2014-15 season.
WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart has also extended a unique offer for the remainder of the season.
"Our women's basketball team is off to a great start this season, but we need more people in the stands," said Stewart. "I guarantee you will have a great time seeing this team this year. Please buy a ticket and see this Lady Topper team. If you don't have a great time, send me your ticket stub and I will refund your money."
HOW TO FOLLOW THE LADY TOPPERS: For complete information on Lady Topper Basketball, visit www.wkusports.com, follow the program on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball, follow the program on Instagram via "LadyTopperHoops" or follow the program on Twitter via @LadyTopperHoops.
