The Lady Toppers (6-0) had a commanding 19-0 run in the first quarter against the Tigers (3-4) and never looked back. WKU led by at least 15 for the rest of the first half and led by at least 23 the entire second half.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tennessee State scored the first points of the game on a jumper. Destiny Salary put WKU on the board and Josie Gilvin quickly got off a three to give WKU a 5-2 lead. After a basket from the Tigers, WKU went on a 19-0 run to take a 20-point lead with 1:49 left in the quarter. Tennessee State outscored the Lady Toppers 7-4 from there and WKU took a 28-11 lead into the second quarter.
The Tigers scored the first points of the second quarter, but WKU responded with a 13-1 run. Mackenzie Chatfield scored nine of 13 points in the run, including eight straight. WKU would go on to outscore Tennessee State 27-15 in the quarter to take a 54-26 lead into halftime.
WKU scored four straight to open the third quarter. Tennessee State outscored WKU 15-6 for the next four minutes, but the Lady Toppers responded with a 10-0 run. WKU edged Tennessee State 26-23 in the quarter. The Tigers outscored WKU 13-12 in the fourth quarter.
NOTABLES
- WKU has held all six opponents this year below 70 points. The Lady Toppers are 87-24 under Greg Collins when keeping teams below 70.
- The Lady Toppers have had five different leading scorers through six games this season. Acacia Hayes has led the team twice while Zsofia Telegdy, Destiny Salary, Josie Gilvin and Mackenzie Chatfield have each led once.
- It was the first WKU has scored 90-plus points against a Division I opponent since scoring 91 against UAB on Feb. 25, 2023 and it was the most points WKU has scored against a DI opponent since scoring 97 against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 26, 2022.
- WKU's perfect 6-0 record in November is the first time a Lady Topper team has gone undefeated for an entire month since going 7-0 in February of 2017.
- Mackenzie Chatfield led the team in scoring with a career high 20 points. The sophomore also had a career high eight assists.
- Destiny Salary logged her first career double-double with 12 points and a career high 11 rebounds.
- Alexis Mead poured in 18 points, tying her season high and marking her fifth straight game in double figures.
- Josie Gilvin scored 16 points, her second double digit performance of the season.
- Mya Pratcher had a career high 14 points.
- Zsofia Telegdy pulled down 10 boards, her second 10-plus rebound effort of the season.
- There were 12 career highs reached or tied and four season highs reached or tied by individual Lady Toppers in the game.
Head coach Greg Collins:
"Tennessee State's record doesn't indicate how well-coached they are, how athletic they are, how long and how good they are at attacking the rim. So with the girls, we tried to emphasize this was one of those trap games and we didn't need to have a letdown. I was proud of the starters getting out there and pushing the envelope, making good decisions, making good shots and getting us to a comfortable lead."
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Chatfield:
"I think it comes down to what you practice. Every day we're trying to get to know each other and learn how to play well with each other. Coach Collins is always talking about defense and how that's the most important thing. Defense leads to offense. I think we did a good job here of turning them over and then sharing the basketball. That makes it fun."
Junior guard Josie Gilvin:
"We've emphasized having good starts and keeping that start and homing in on our defense, getting stops and doing the little things. When we don't do that we let teams get back in the game. We get too comfortable letting them do whatever they want to do. We're definitely locked in on having better starts."
NEXT UP
The Lady Toppers will conclude their three-game homestand with Miami (Ohio) on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.
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.
