JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — WKU women's basketball (12-6, 3-0 CUSA) led for the nearly the entire game against Jacksonville State (6-9, 1-2 CUSA) on Saturday afternoon, winning 62-52 on the road.
WKU improves to 3-0 in conference play, marking the sixth time in the 10 years WKU has been in CUSA that the Lady Toppers have started league play 3-0. The win was the fourth straight for WKU, which is the longest winning streak of the season for the Lady Toppers.
The Lady Toppers had three in double figures, with Alexis Mead leading the way with 18 points. Mead finished with five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Over the last four games, the junior point guard is averaging 5.5 assists per game. Destiny Salary had 17 points and six rebounds. Salary has scored in double figures in five of seven games played this season. Odeth Betancourt had 12 points and five rebounds. Betancourt has scored in double figures in three of the last four games.
WKU was without leading scorer Acacia Hayes who did not make the trip to Jacksonville due to illness.
It was the 13th time this season that the Lady Topper defense has held a team below 70 points and fifth time holding a team below 60. WKU is 11-2 this season and 78-9 under head coach Greg Collins when holding teams below 70 points and 5-0 this season and 38-6 under Collins when keeping teams below 60.
The Lady Toppers overcame a cold shooting first half, going 9-30 (30.0 percent) from the field and 2-11 (18.2 percent) from 3-point range to go 14-26 (53.8 percent) from the floor and 2-5 (40.0 percent) from 3-point range in the second half.
Neither team scored for the first 1:30 of the game, but Mead broke the drought with a layup. That started a 6-0 run for the WKU. Jacksonville State scored four straight points to get back within two, but a floater from Salary put the Lady Toppers back ahead by four. The Gamecocks went on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game at the 3:14 mark. The Lady Toppers responded with a 7-0 run to go back ahead by six. Jacksonville State knocked down a three just before the end of the quarter to cut it to three going into the second quarter.
The second quarter was a grind for both teams, with both squads scoring just eight points in the frame.
WKU started the second half on an 8-0 run to take an 11-point lead. The two teams went back and forth for a stretch, but Jacksonville State used a 9-0 run to draw back within three with just over a minute left in the quarter. A three from Salary stopped the run, but a layup from the Gamecocks just before the break cut the score to 40-36 heading into the final quarter.
Betancourt scored the first points of the fourth quarter which started a 22-6 scoring run for the Lady Toppers that swelled the lead out to 20 points. The Gamecocks ended the game on a 10-0 run to cut the score to 10.
WKU will be back in action next week with two home games. The Lady Toppers will host New Mexico State on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. and then UTEP on Saturday, Jan. 20 at noon.
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.
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