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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - WKU overcame foul trouble by their leading scorers and got strong play from a pair of freshman off the bench as the Lady Toppers secured a 74-60 win over Marshall on Saturday afternoon in E.A. Diddle Arena.
Freshmen Tashia Brown and Ivy Brown combined for 16 points off the WKU bench, scoring some key baskets during the second half that helped the Lady Toppers secure their 10th conference victory of the year. The duo's success was needed when senior Alexis Govan and senior Chastity Gooch were limited on the bench for a string of time in the second half after picking up their fourth fouls of the game. Tashia Brown finished with 11 points in 27 minutes while Ivy Brown had five points.
Despite their foul trouble, Govan finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and four steals in 35 minutes. It marked her sixth career double-double. Gooch finished with 14 points and eight rebounds in just 29 minutes. Govan and Gooch each picked up their third fouls in the final 0:15 of the first half.
WKU (21-4, 10-2) held Marshall (14-9, 6-6) to 38.7 percent shooting for the game, including a 32.3 percent mark in the first half, as the Herd found their range from three-point land in the contest by hitting eight three-point field goals after hitting just 1-of-16 in an earlier meeting this season with WKU.
WKU jumped ahead by as many as 15 points in the opening half at 34-19 following a three by Gooch with 3:19 left but Marshall eventually scored the final five points of the half to cut the lead to 38-28. The Herd also scored the first four out the break to cut it to 38-32 with 19:06 left and eventually fought to within six again at 56-50 with 9:42 left after scoring seven straight.
WKU gradually pulled away in the final 10 minutes, including a strong stretch without Gooch and Govan in the game after Gooch picked up her fourth foul with 10:15 left and Govan with 7:06 left. Both returned with approximately four minutes remaining and WKU holding a 15-point lead.
Junior guard Micah Jones also had 10 points for WKU while redshirt sophomore Kendall Noble had eight points, five rebounds and six assists.
Marshall had four players in double figures, led by Chukwuka Ezeigbo and AJ Johnson with 12 points each.
WKU returns to John Oldham Court at E.A. Diddle Arena next week for a pair of games, opening with a matchup with UAB on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. CT. The UAB game has been tabbed as WKU Faculty and Staff Night. All faculty and staff can receive one complimentary reserved ticket for the game at the WKU Ticket Office prior to gameday. Fans can also take advantage of $6.00 bottomless popcorn, available through the Hilltopper Express Deal with Centerplate.
The first 500 students in their seats at tipoff will receive free pizza from Pizza Hut thanks to the Tip-Off Pizza Giveaway.
WKU then hosts Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. CT for the only meeting between the teams this season. Fans are encouraged to wear red as the Lady Toppers take on the Blue Raiders for the first time in two seasons. The first 1,000 fans will receive an exclusive t-shirt. It is also Critter Classic day in E.A. Diddle Arena where fans can support the BGWC Humane Society by bringing one of the following items to the game in exchange for a large souvenir soda: clay cat litter, Clorox wipes, bleach or liquid washing machine detergent.
The first 1,000 students in their seats at tipoff will receive free pizza from Pizza Hut thanks to the Tip-Off Pizza Giveaway. In addition, WKU will host a Greek Challenge as part of the game as well where individual can sign in at halftime of the contest to win a cash prize for their affiliation.
Members of Big Red's Rascals can take advantage of a Big Red's Rascal Night offer where all members receive complimentary admission to the game with all friends and family able to buy additional tickets for $5.00. The Party 1 Kids Zone will also be available one hour prior to tipoff on the third level concourse with inflatables for kids.
Single-game tickets for all Lady Topper Basketball home games are on sale 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.
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."
In addition, free parking will be available for the remainder of the season in PS1 and in the upper floors of PS2. Lots 1-5 and first floor of PS2 will continue to be reserved for HAF members.
