Abdelgawad Notches Double-Double in Loss

Saturday, December 5

Bowling Green, Ky.

2 PM

Western Kentucky University

-02,00 CUSA

Ball State

1-3,0-1MAC

Ball St.

Western Ky.

12/5/2020 6:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Meral Abdelgawad Postgame Greg Collins Postgame

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Saturday afternoon's game between WKU women's basketball and Ball State was the first time a basketball game had been played in E.A. Diddle Arena since March 7. While for seven of the Lady Toppers, it was the first time they had ever played in Diddle Arena.

Fans missing basketball action in Bowling Green should not have been disappointed on Saturday with a game that featured eight ties and seven lead changes. The game was close throughout, but an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter by the Cardinals seemed to put the Lady Toppers out of reach. WKU fought back though and outscored Ball State 11-6 in the final 2:17 of the game but fell short, 58-54.

"I'm proud of our efforts," said head coach Greg Collins. "I'm not pleased with our execution, but I think the girls played really hard and they competed."

Meral Abdelgawad led the Lady Toppers with her second career double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. She also had a career high five steals in the contest.

Fatou Pouye finished one point shy of her career high with 12 points and one rebound shy of her career best with seven boards. Myriah Haywood rounded out the Lady Toppers in double figures with a career high 11 points along with seven rebounds and three assists.

Selma Kulo filled out the stat line with eight points, five rebounds, three blocks and an assist. Ally Collett added six points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Fatou Pouye scored the first points of the game to put WKU ahead 2-0 to start the game, but Ball State responded with a 7-0 run. Pouye stopped the run with another basket, but the Cardinals made good on one free throw to stay ahead 8-4. From there, the Lady Toppers went on a 6-0 run, sparked by Pouye's sixth point, an Abdelgawad free throw and an Ally Collett and-one to take a 10-8 lead with 44 seconds left in the quarter. Ball State connected on a jumper with 22 seconds left to tie things up going into the second quarter.

Both teams traded baskets to open the second period, but the Lady Toppers were able to take a five-point lead behind points from Kulo and an Abdelgawad three. WKU spent the remainder of the quarter nursing that lead, but Ball State kept within reach and ended the quarter with three straight made free throws to bring the halftime score to a 24-21 WKU lead.

WKU struggled to score in the third quarter, allowing Ball State to outscore the Lady Toppers 16-11 in the frame and take a lead. WKU's first made field goal in the quarter didn't come until the 2:37 mark of the period.

Abdelgawad scored four straight points early in the fourth quarter to tie up the game, but Ball State followed with a three. After going back-and-forth a few times, the Cardinals used an 8-0 run to go ahead by nine with 2:45 left in the game. The Lady Toppers weren't out of it though and were able to quickly get within two after a missed free throw on an and-one opportunity led to a putback rebound that gave the Lady Toppers four points in one possession and drawing the score within two. With only five seconds left in the game, WKU were forced to foul to get the ball back and Ball State connected on both free throws to go ahead by four.

The two teams were even on the boards with 41 rebounds each. Although Ball State won the turnover battle 24-21, the Lady Toppers outscored the Cardinals in points off of miscues 16-12.

WKU will be back in action on Dec. 13 at Little Rock. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The Lady Toppers will be back in Diddle Arena on Dec. 16 against Bellarmine at 6 p.m.

THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH – WHEN IT COMES TO TOBACCO, QUITTERS ALWAYS WIN

How to Follow the Lady Toppers: For complete information on WKU Lady Topper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @LadyTopperHoops on Twitter, @LadyTopperHoops on Instagram and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball.