Game Info
WKU (3-6, 0-0 C-USA) at Rice (9-1, 0-1 C-USA)
Thursday, Dec. 29 | 7 p.m. (CT)
Houston, Texas | Tudor Fieldhouse
Links: Watch (ESPN+) | Listen (ESPN 102.7) | Live Stats | Game Notes
About the Lady Toppers
- The Lady Toppers finished non-conference play at California Baptist on Dec. 21. WKU stormed back from a 15-point deficit to take a lead in the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold on, losing 69-61. Mya Meredith led WKU in scoring with 16 points, tying her season high. Alexis Mead had a career high nine assists along with a season high eight rebounds.
- WKU is 29-9 in conference openers since the 1984-85 season. Specifically in Conference USA, the Lady Toppers are 7-1 in league openers.
- Jaylin Foster is WKU's leading scorer (10.8 points per game), rebounder (6.7 rebounds per game) and steals leader (19 total).
- Mead is leading the team in assists earned with 22 on the season.
- Hope Sivori is shooting 39.1 percent from 3-point range which is the third highest rate in the conference.
- The team is averaging 11.4 steals per game which is the most in C-USA and 25th in the nation.
- WKU is forcing teams into 21.00 turnovers per game which is the second most in the league and the 31st in the country.
- The team is pulling down 13.4 offensive rebounds per game which is the third most in the conference.
- The WKU bench has been crucial this season. The reserves are scoring 33.7 points per game which includes a 66 point performance at Ball State.
Series History
- WKU and Rice have faced off 10 times all-time. Seven of those 10 matchups have been played in Houston, two in Bowling Green and one in the C-USA Championship in Frisco, Texas.
- Rice leads the series 6-4, including a 4-3 record in Houston.
- The last meeting between the two teams was Jan. 13, 2022. WKU came away with a 78-61 win after a dominating second half that saw the Lady Toppers outscore the Owls, 46-22.
- Mya Meredith had 20 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two blocks in that game.
Rice Notes
- Rice went a perfect 9-0 in non-conference play with wins against Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian, Saint Mary's, Pacific, Texas Southern, Texas A&M, TCU, Houston and Sam Houston.
- The Owls dropped their first C-USA game of the season to Middle Tennessee, 74-68 in Houston.
- Rice is the conference's leading shot making team, averaging a 46.5 field goal percentage.
- Destiny Jackson is leading Rice in scoring, putting up 14.5 points per game. Malia Fisher is the team's leading rebounder, pulling down 7.9 boards per game.
Up Next
- WKU will return home to face Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.
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.
