Game Info
WKU (1-0) at Southern Utah (0-1)
Friday, November 10 | 7:30 p.m. (CT)
Cedar City, Utah | Eccles Coliseum
Watch: ESPN+
Game Notes: WKU
Game Links: Listen (ESPN 102.7/Varsity Network) | Live Stats
About the Lady Toppers
- The Lady Toppers opened the season with a 70-64 win against Mercer on Monday evening in Diddle Arena. Teresa Faustino was the team's leading scorer, putting up 15 points along with four steals and three rebounds. Karris Allen added 11 points, all 11 coming from the free throw line, to go along with a team-leading eight rebounds and three steals. Freshman Caitlin Staley had an impressive collegiate debut with 10 points, six blocks and four rebounds.
- Staley's six blocks against the Bears is tied for the most blocks nationally in the young 2023-24 season.
- 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.
- WKU returns seven players from the 2022-23 season and welcomes five newcomers to The Hill for the 2023-24 season. Returners include senior Aaliyah Pitts, junior Alexis Mead, sophomore Acacia Hayes, senior Teresa Faustino, senior Odeth Betancourt, sophomore Karris Allen and sophomore Josie Gilvin. Destiny Salary transferred to WKU after spending time at Ole Miss and Tennessee. The Lady Toppers will feature four freshmen in 2023-24. Mackenzie Chatfield joined the team in January and will compete in her first collegiate season in 2023-24. Nevaeh Foster, Jailynn Brill and Caitlin Staley joined the team in the summer.
- Hayes and Mead were named to the CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team in October.
- Hayes was WKU's leading scorer in 2022-23, averaging 11.2 points per game. She's the first WKU freshman to lead the team in scoring since Crystal Kelly (2004-05).
Series Notes
- WKU and Southern Utah have not previously played.
About the Thunderbirds
- Southern Utah is coming off a 23-10 season that included a WAC championship and a NCAA Tournament appearance.
- The Thunderbirds dropped their season opener on Wednesday night to Eastern Washington, 86-77. Four players scored in double digits with Megan Smith, Daylani Ballena and Ava Uhrich all scoring 16 points.
Up Next
- The Lady Toppers will return to Bowling Green to host Cornell on Monday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 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 X, @LadyTopperHoops on Instagram and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball.
