Lady Toppers Defeated on Final Day of Gulf Coast Showcase

Sunday, November 26

Estero, Fla.

12:30 PM

Western Kentucky University

Purdue Fort Wayne

11/26/2023 3:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

ESTERO, Fla. — WKU women's basketball (6-3) dropped a 90-77 decision to Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon in the final day of the Gulf Coast Showcase.

Alexis Mead went off for a season high 24 points in the loss, going 8-of-11 from the field including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Her five threes tied her career high. Mead also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, marking the fourth straight game the point guard has led the team on the boards.

Teresa Faustino added 13 points and led the team in assists with three. Karris Allen scored in double figures for the second straight game with 11 points.

Purdue Fort Wayne scored 51 of their 90 points from beyond the arc, connecting on 17 of 33 attempted shots from 3-point range for a blazing 51.5 percent.

Purdue Fort Wayne started the game hot from long range, making 7-of-10 3-point shots in the first quarter. The Mastodons opened the quarter with four straight threes, taking an early 12-4 lead. WKU cut the score to two at the 4:15 mark after a 5-0 run, but Purdue Fort Wayne responded with an 8-0 run to push the lead back out to 10. From there the two teams traded baskets and Purdue Fort Wayne took a 30-19 lead into the second quarter.

WKU opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run, including two threes from Pitts, cutting the lead down to three. After a free throw, Purdue Fort Wayne made another two threes to go back ahead by nine. With 1:54 left, a layup from Hayes cut it down to five, but Purdue Fort Wayne scored the final four points of the quarter to take a 44-35 lead into halftime.

Allen scored six straight points to open the third quarter, cutting the score to 46-41. Purdue Fort Wayne once again did damage from distance, hitting three straight threes with a three from Mead and layup from Odeth Betancourt in between. After an 8-2 run by the Mastodons, Mead got hot and hit three straight threes. The quarter ended with Purdue Fort Wayne ahead 67-57.

Purdue Fort Wayne scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to go ahead by 15. A three from Josie Gilvin at the 8:07 mark cut it to 12. After a made free throw from the Mastodons, WKU made three free throws to get the score down to a 10-point differential. Purdue Fort Wayne responded by scoring five straight. WKU was able to cut it to 10 again after a three from Mead at the 4:55 mark, but that would be as close as the Lady Toppers would get.

WKU will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Oregon State. The game is set to tipoff at 8:00 p.m. (CT).

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