The Lady Toppers (7-0) had dominant first and third quarters against the RedHawks (4-2), combining to score 59 points across the two quarters.
HOW IT HAPPENED
WKU owned a 3-0 lead to start the first quarter after a free throw from Destiny Salary and a jumper from Alexis Mead. Miami tied the score with three straight points. WKU responded with a 20-5 run. The Lady Toppers forced the RedHawks into 16 turnovers and record 12 steals in the first quarter. WKU took a 23-8 lead into the second quarter.
The RedHawks chipped into the lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Lady Toppers 21-15 in the frame. Zsofia Telegdy scored first in the second quarter with a three. The two teams went back and forth but a 6-0 run by Miami cut the lead to 10 with 4:28 left. The RedHawks used a 9-2 run to but it to seven with 48 seconds left in the half. Josie Gilvin scored the final points of the half on a layup to give WKU a 38-29 lead going into halftime.
The Lady Toppers had their best offensive quarter of the season in the third, scoring a season high 36 points in the frame. Mead went off for 12 points in the period. Defensively, WKU held Miami to 15 points to take a 74-44 lead into the fourth quarter. Miami outscored WKU 16-5 in the final quarter.
NOTABLES
- The Lady Toppers made 13 3-pointers in the game which is tied for the eighth most in a single game in WKU history and is the most since WKU made 14 at UAB on Feb. 25, 2023.
- WKU has held all seven opponents this year below 70 points. The Lady Toppers are 88-24 under Greg Collins when keeping teams below 70.
- The Lady Toppers have had six different leading scorers through seven games this season. Acacia Hayes has led the team twice while Zsofia Telegdy, Destiny Salary, Josie Gilvin, Mackenzie Chatfield and Alexis Mead have each led once.
- Alexis Mead went off for 24 points, one shy of tying her career high. It was the senior's sixth straight game scoring in double figures. She reached season highs in points, steals (5), field goals (7), 3-pointers made (4) and free throws made (6). She was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe which was the 38th time she has gone perfect from the free throw line in her career.
- Josie Gilvin had her second 20-point performance of the season with 21 on the day. She had a career high eight steals, all in the first half. She also had a career high four assists.
- Destiny Salary reached double digit points for the fifth time in the last six games with 14 points. She had season highs in assists (5) and made free throws (5).
- Zsofia Telegdy scored 10-plus for the second time this season with 14 points and had a career high three made 3-pointers.
- WKU improves to 8-0 against Miami (Ohio) all-time.
QUOTABLE
Head coach Greg Collins:
"I'm extremely proud of that first group that was in there. They battled the whole time. In the second quarter, we've done this before, we make plays defensively then we hurt ourselves with hurried up plays on offense that led to turnovers. We talked about that at halftime. I felt like they came out in the third quarter and just really demonstrated that we can be better than we were in the last quarter. That really closed the game."
Senior guard Alexis Mead:
"It's just a testament to the trust we have in each other. We had a couple people down today and we had more people step up. It was a good win for us."
Junior guard Josie Gilvin:
"We just keep finding our open people. We know most of our starters are three-way scorers, so we just try to get it to the open person because we know it's probably going to go in. Finding the right people helps us."
NEXT UP
The Lady Toppers will go on the road to face Wichita State on Sunday, Dec. 8.
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.
