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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Leading by four points going into the final quarter, WKU held Middle Tennessee to only five fourth-quarter points in the 67th meeting between the two sides, claiming a 62-51 victory inside E.A. Diddle Arena on Thursday evening.
The Lady Toppers (21-5, 12-3 C-USA) held the Blue Raiders to just 2-of-8 shooting in the fourth quarter, and the five points allowed were a season-low in a single quarter for WKU. Middle Tennessee (18-8, 12-3 C-USA) allowed just one three-pointer by the Lady Toppers but surrendered 17 points off turnovers on the night.
Kendall Noble led all scorers with 23 points and added six assists for the Lady Toppers. Tashia Brown netted 13 points, all of which came during the second half, while Ivy Brown scored six points and hauled down nine rebounds.
Middle Tennessee was led by a double-double from Brea Edwards (10 points, 11 rebounds), and Alex Johnson added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Blue Raiders.
Over the first eight minutes of the first quarter, neither team could gain more than a two-point advantage. WKU and Middle Tennessee battled to eight ties before Noble found Dee Givens open outside the arc for a three-pointer, giving the Lady Toppers a 19-16 lead with 1:31 left in the opening frame.
WKU expanded its lead to as many as five points early in the second quarter, but the Blue Raiders battled back with a 7-2 run over the next four minutes to knot the contest at 24-24. Edwards sparked the run with a three-pointer before Johnson's jumper at the 5:48 mark pulled Middle Tennessee even.
The Lady Toppers again took a slim three-point lead on two occasions over the final five minutes before Middle Tennessee closed with six of the final seven points of the half to carry a 32-30 lead into the halftime break.
The third quarter again highlighted how tight the two teams were, with neither side gaining more than a one-possession edge until a three-point play by Tashia Brown gave WKU a 50-46 lead with five seconds remaining. The quarter featured five ties and six lead changes as the Lady Toppers and Blue Raiders battled back and forth.
Leading by one point, 50-49, with 9:33 to play, WKU finished the game on a 12-2 run over the final nine and a half minutes, including a 6-0 run over the last five minutes. Noble netted six points in the final quarter to push the Lady Toppers to the 62-51 victory.
WKU will close out its home schedule on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. against UAB inside E.A. Diddle Arena. The Lady Toppers earned a 63-49 victory over the Blazers in Birmingham, Ala., on Jan. 28 earlier this season; Jalynn McClain will be honored following Saturday's game as part of WKU's Senior Day ceremony.
