Lady Toppers Fall to FIU

Thursday, January 25

Miami, FL

6 PM

Western Kentucky University

13-8,4-2CUSA

FIU

14-5,5-0CUSA

Western Ky.

FIU

1/25/2024 10:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MIAMI — WKU women's basketball (13-8, 4-2 CUSA) fell to FIU (14-5, 5-0 CUSA) on Thursday night in Miami, 70-60.

Destiny Salary led the team in scoring with 18 points to go along with three rebounds and a season high three steals. Alexis Mead added 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Leading scorer Acacia Hayes played just 11 minutes before exiting the game due to illness.

Odeth Betancourt scored the first points of the game on a jumper and Acacia Hayes followed that with a layup to give WKU an early 4-0 lead. FIU answered with a 9-1 run. A three from Mead got WKU back within two, but a pair of free throws from the Panthers pushed the lead back out to four. Salary ended the quarter with back-to-back threes to give WKU the lead for the first time since the opening minutes.

Josie Gilvin scored first in the second quarter on a baseline jumper, but FIU scored five straight to go back ahead, 16-15. Another bucket from Gilvin put WKU back ahead but once again FIU answered, this time with a three. WKU scored five straight to take a 22-19 lead with 3:18 left in the quarter. FIU ended the quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 24-22 lead into halftime.

FIU opened the third quarter with a three to extend their lead to five. Mead scored five straight points to tie the game at 27-27. From there, FIU outscored the Lady Toppers 18-6 to take a 45-33 lead into the fourth quarter.

Both teams had their best offensive quarter in the fourth, scoring a combined 52 points in the frame. After trading baskets to start the quarter, WKU used a 7-0 run to cut FIU's lead down to six at the 7:04 mark. A 9-0 run from the Panthers pushed the lead back out to 15. The Lady Toppers responded with another 7-0 run to get back within eight, but a pair of free throws put FIU back ahead by double digits. The two teams went back and forth, but a 4-point play from Salary on a made three and foul shot put WKU within six with 1:13 left. From there FIU outscored WKU 5-1 to claim the win.

WKU will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Sam Houston.

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.