The Lady Toppers (7-1) struggled offensively, shooting 28.4 percent from the field during the game against the Shockers (4-6).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Acacia Hayes scored the first points of the game on a layup after a Wichita State turnover. The Shockers tied things up, but a three from Alexis Mead put the Lady Toppers ahead, 5-2. Wichita State responded with a 7-0 run but WKU followed with a 10-0 run, featuring five points each from Mead and Mariama Sow off the bench. The Shockers scored the final points of the quarter to bring the score to a WKU 15-11 advantage heading into the second quarter.
WKU had a sluggish second quarter, shooting 1-of-17 from the floor and 0-of-6 from 3-point range. The Lady Toppers scored just four points in the frame, the lowest scoring quarter of the season for WKU. The Shockers took a 28-19 lead into halftime.
WKU cut into the lead in the third quarter, outscoring Wichita State, 17-15. Seven of those points came from Mead and five came from Josie Gilvin. The Lady Toppers went into the fourth quarter down, 43-36.
With 7:21 left in the game, Wichita State owned a nine-point lead. The Lady Toppers scored back-to-back baskets cut it to five, but the Shockers scored a basket of their own to extend to seven. Sow scored five straight points on a jumper and 3-pointer to get WKU within two with 5:16 left. After a Shocker bucket, Destiny Salary cut it to two again with a pair of free throws. Wichita State responded with a 6-0 run, but then put WKU on the foul line twice to allow the Lady Toppers to get back within four. The Shockers made good on 3-of-4 free throws to go back ahead by seven before a three from Mead cut it back to four. With less than two seconds left, the Shockers went 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to make the final score, 64-59.
NOTABLES
- WKU had its fewest points of the season in the loss, but still has not given up more than 69 points in a game this year.
- Alexis Mead led WKU in scoring for the second straight game with 22 points. She has scored in double figures in seven straight games and it's her second straight 20-point performance. She also had a season high seven rebounds along with four assists and three steals.
- Mariama Sow had her second double digit performance of the season with 12 points off the bench and had a season high five rebounds.
- Destiny Salary tied her career high in rebounds with 11 boards in the game.
- Josie Gilvin tied her career high in boards with seven.
NEXT UP
The Lady Toppers return home to take on Kentucky Wesleyan on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 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.
