Wednesday's game is HAF (Hilltopper Athletic Foundation) Night. All HAF members receive a free additional ticket with their HAF ticket. It is also Mental Health Awareness Night in Diddle Arena. Student-athletes will be wearing green shoelaces to honor mental health awareness.
Game Info
WKU (10-6, 1-0 CUSA) vs. Sam Houston (5-8, 0-1 CUSA)
Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Bowling Green, Ky. | E.A. Diddle Arena
Game Notes: WKU
Watch: ESPN+
Links: Listen (ESPN 102.7/Varsity Network) | Live Stats
About the Lady Toppers
- WKU opened CUSA play at Liberty last Saturday with a come-from-behind win. The Lady Toppers were down as much as 15 in the contest, but a dominant third quarter helped WKU erase that lead on its way to a 68-66 win.
- The Lady Toppers have made comeback wins a staple over the last two seasons. Between 2022-23 and 2023-24, WKU has come from behind to win 15 times, including seven games in which the Lady Toppers were down double digits. Over the two seasons, WKU has come back to win after being down at halftime 12 times and overcame a deficit in the fourth quarter eight times.
- Acacia Hayes is WKU's and CUSA's leading scorer, putting up 16.7 points per game. Hayes leads the conference in five different statistical categories (total field goals, total free throws made, points, points per game, field goal attempts). Her 267 total points on the season are the 46th most nationally and her 64 made free throws are 28th in the country.
- Alexis Mead is the conference's steals leader with 30 on the season. The junior point guard is putting up 10.8 points per game and averaging 3.6 assists per game, which is fourth in the league.
- Destiny Salary has made her impact known with just five games under her belt as a Lady Topper. Salary is scoring 13.8 points per game that includes two 20-point performances.
- WKU is forcing teams into 20.25 turnovers per game this season, which is the second highest average in CUSA and 38th highest in the nation. On those turnovers, the Lady Toppers are averaging 11.3 steals per game which is the most in the league and 25th in the NCAA.
- The Lady Toppers finished non-conference play with wins against Mercer, Southern Utah, Cornell, Miami (OH), Bucknell, Vermont, Abilene Christian, Nevada and West Virginia State for a 9-6 record.
- 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.
- Hayes and Mead were named to the CUSA Preseason All-Conference Team in October.
Series History
- Wednesday's game between WKU and Sam Houston will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.
About the Bearkats
- Sam Houston is coming off a narrow loss to Louisiana Tech, 66-62, last Saturday to open CUSA play on the road.
- The Bearkats lead the conference in free throws attempted per game (27.00), free throws made per game (18.08), offensive rebounds per game (19.0), rebounds per game (42.85) and turnovers forced per game (23.69). Sam Houston also ranks in the top 50 in the NCAA in offensive rebounds per game (2nd), free throws made per game (2nd), free throws attempted per game (3rd), turnovers forced per game (6th), rebounds per game (31st) and turnover margin (37th).
- Raanee Smith is the league's leading rebounder, pulling down 10.0 boards per game. She's also averaging 5.6 offensive rebounds per game which is the second most in the NCAA.
- Diana Rosenthal is the leading scorer for Sam Houston, averaging 12.4 points per game. Smith is putting up 11.6 points per game and Sydnee Kemp is averaging 11.1 per game.
Up Next
- The Lady Toppers go on the road for a Saturday matchup against Jacksonville State. The game is set for a 2:30 p.m. tip.
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.
