Game Info
WKU (13-9, 10-3 C-USA) at Middle Tennessee (18-4, 11-2 C-USA)
Thursday, Feb. 8 | 6 p.m.
Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Murphy Center
Links: Watch (ESPN+) | Listen (ESPN 102.7) | Live Stats | Game Notes
About the Lady Toppers
- WKU is in sole possession of second place in the Conference USA standings with a 10-3 conference record. UTEP is behind the Lady Toppers at 7-5. Middle Tennessee is in first place with an 11-2 record.
- The Lady Toppers went 2-0 last week in Texas with a 77-69 win at UTSA on Thursday and a 77-75 win at UTEP on Saturday.
- WKU came back from a 19-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat UTEP. It was the largest comeback by a WKU since at least the 2004-05 season. It was the seventh time this season WKU has come from behind to win and it was the fourth time the Lady Toppers have come back from a double digit deficit. It was also the fourth time WKU has come back to win after being behind in the fourth quarter.
- So far this season, WKU has had eight different leading scorers. That includes eight different leaders during the 13 games of C-USA play. Hope Sivori has led the team the most, topping the scoring column in five games.
- Hayes is WKU's leading scorer, averaging 10.0 points per game. The freshman is the Lady Toppers' leading shot maker (minimum of 100 attempts), making 46.1 percent of her shots from the field.
- Jaylin Foster is WKU's leading rebounder (5.9 rebounds per game) and steals leader (50 total). Foster's 2.27 steals per game are the third highest in C-USA.
- Alexis Mead is leading the team in assists earned with 66 on the season.
- The team is averaging 12.2 steals per game which leads C-USA and is sixth in the nation.
- WKU is averaging 8.5 made 3-pointers per game, which ranks first in the league and 17th in the country.
- The Lady Toppers are pulling down 14.0 offensive rebounds per game which is second in C-USA and 43rd nationally.
- WKU is forcing teams into 21.05 turnovers per game which is the most in the league and the 17th in the country. The Lady Toppers' 5.32 turnover margin compared to their opponents is the second highest in C-USA and 21st nationally.
- The WKU bench has been crucial this season. The reserves are scoring 29.3 points per game which includes a 66-point performance at Ball State.
Series History
- Thursday's game will be the 82nd game all-time between WKU and Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders lead the series, 47-34.
- Middle Tennessee is WKU's most played opponent in program history.
- Of the 81 total games between the two teams, 39 have been decided by less than 10 points.
- Since joining C-USA, WKU is 9-7 against the Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee Notes
- Middle Tennessee have lost its last two games, suffering losses at UTEP (65-62) and at UTSA (58-53).
- The Blue Raiders rank in the top 25 in the country in several statistical categories, including turnovers per game (11.7; 5th), free throws made per game (16.36; 6th), turnover margin (6.32; 10th), scoring margin (17.6; 12th), field goal percentage defense (35.6; 18th), free throw percentage (77.9; 19th) and scoring defense (55.0 PPG; 21st).
- Kseniya Malashka is Middle Tennessee's leading scorer. She's putting up 16.0 points per game. She's the leading shot blocker in C-USA, averaging 2.0 blocks per game.
- Courtney Whitson is the league's leading rebounder, pulling down 8.0 boards per game.
- Jalynn Gregory is making the most threes per game in the conference, connecting on 2.50 3-pointers per game.
Up Next
- WKU will return home to take on Charlotte on Thursday, Feb. 16 and Rice on Saturday, Feb. 18.
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.
