Game Info
Clean Eats Gulf Coast Showcase
WKU (5-1) vs. No. 16/22 Kansas State (4-0)
Friday, November 24 | 10 a.m. (CT)
Estero, Fla. | Hertz Arena
Watch: FloHoops
Game Notes: WKU
Game Links: Listen (ESPN 102.7/Varsity Network)
About the Lady Toppers
- The Lady Toppers are off to a 5-1 start to the season. Last week, WKU played three games (two on the road). This week the Lady Toppers will play four games (one home, three neutral site). In total, WKU will have played seven games in 14 days.
- Six games into the 2023-24 season, WKU's defense is once again putting up big numbers. The Lady Toppers are averaging 13.7 steals per game, which is second in CUSA and is 12th nationally. WKU is forcing teams into 23.67 turnovers per game, which is the second-best average in the league and the 17th most in the country.
- WKU has four players in the top 100 in the country in steals this season. Teresa Faustino is 24th nationally with 15. Alexis Mead is 32nd with 14. Josie Gilvin is 48th with 13 and Karris Allen is 67th with 12.
- Freshman Caitlin Staley's 12 blocks this season is the third most of any CUSA player and the 17th most in the country. Staley was named CUSA Freshman of the Week on Monday for her play against Cornell, Vanderbilt and Miami last week.
- Alexis Mead has dished out 31 assists so far this season and that mark is the best in the conference and 19th in the nation. Acacia Hayes' 94 points this season is second in the league and is the 39th most in the country.
- Hayes is WKU's leading scorer through six games, putting up 15.7 points per game. Mead is also averaging double figures, scoring 11.2 points per game. Faustino is scoring 10.5 points per game. Allen is the team's leading rebounder, pulling down 5.5 boards per game.
- WKU was picked to finish tied for second place in the Conference USA preseason coaches poll released earlier in October. The Lady Toppers are coming off a second place CUSA finish in 2022-23, a championship game appearance in the CUSA tournament and a WNIT berth.
- Hayes and Mead were named to the CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team in October.
Series Notes
- WKU and Kansas State have played three times previously. The Wildcats have a 2-1 advantage in the series.
- Including Friday's matchup, all four games between WKU and Kansas State will have come in a tournament setting. The first meeting was in the Bud Light Shootout in Las Vegas in 1986, the second meeting was in the WNIT semifinals in 2006 and the third meeting was in the Preseason WNIT in 2021.
About the Wildcats
- Kansas State is 4-0 on the season with wins against Presbyterian, Little Rock, then No. 2 Iowa and Wisconsin. The Wildcats entered the AP and USA Today Coaches polls this week after defeating Iowa last week. The Hawkeyes are also in the Gulf Coast Showcase field.
- Forward Ayoka Lee is averaging 18.7 points per game and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Up Next
- The Lady Toppers will continue play in the Gulf Coast Showcase on Saturday. WKU will play the winner or loser between North Carolina and Vermont. If WKU wins, they will play at 4 p.m. (CT) on Saturday. In the event of a loss, WKU will play at 10 a.m. (CT) on Saturday.
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 X, @LadyTopperHoops on Instagram and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball.
