The Lady Toppers (16-6, 7-3 CUSA) got out to big lead in the first quarter against the Owls (8-13, 3-7 CUSA) and built on that lead in the second and third quarters.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alexis Mead scored the first points of the game on a 3-pointer. After a Kennesaw State basket, Acacia Hayes knocked down a three. The Owls made two free throws, but WKU responded with a 7-0 run that started with another three from Hayes. Kennesaw State bounced back with a 6-0 run of their own to get back within three. The Lady Toppers connected on three more triples in the quarter, making six total in the quarter, and closed out the period by outscoring the Owls 15-6 to take a 28-16 lead into the second quarter.
The Lady Toppers grew that lead in the second quarter, outscoring Kennesaw State 19-12 in the quarter. WKU added on with a 17-13 third quarter to take a 64-41 lead into the fourth quarter. The Owls outscored WKU by two in the fourth.
NOTABLES
- Josie Gilvin went off for a career high 28 points on 12-of-14 (85.7 percent) shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. She tied Lillie Mason for the ninth best shooting performance in a single game by a Lady Topper. It was the most points scored by a WKU player since Acacia Hayes scored 29 against Kansas State on Nov. 24, 2023. She also had five assists in the game, marking the third time this season she's had five-or-more helpers.
- Acacia Hayes poured in 20 points which was her best offensive game since scoring 21 against North Dakota on Nov. 24 this season.
- Alexis Mead had 15 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. The seven boards tied her season high and marked the seventh time in the last nine games the 5-foot-4 guard has had 5-plus boards. She moved into 10th place on WKU's career made 3-pointers list with 145 in her career.
- WKU moves to 96-26 under Greg Collins when holding teams below 70 and 48-9 when keeping opponents below 60. This season, WKU is 15-2 when allowing less than 70 and 8-0 when allowing less than 60.
- On the flip side, WKU is 74-20 under Collins when scoring 70-or-more points and 113-52 when scoring more than 60. This season, the Lady Toppers are 14-3 when scoring 60-or-more and 10-2 when scoring 70-or-more.
- WKU shot 46.8 percent (29-62) from the field, marking the seventh straight game for the Lady Toppers shooting better than 40 percent. WKU is 6-1 during that stretch.
- WKU made 10 3-pointers against the Owls, which is the third most Kennesaw State has given up this season. The Owls came into the game with the 19th best 3-point field goal defensive percentage in the country (25.9 percent). The Lady Toppers were 10-23 (43.5 percent) from beyond the arc.
- The Lady Toppers are 9-2 in Diddle Arena this season.
QUOTABLE
Head coach Greg Collins:
"I think, or I hope, we've learned from our past mistakes. We've gotten off to good starts, even at New Mexico State we were at a good spot at halftime, and then we've made some boneheaded decisions. Tonight, we just had to really make sure that we kept grinding. Not taking away fast breaks, still looking for those opportunities but be willing to not settle for a bad shot and making sure we knew when to pull it back."
Junior guard Josie Gilvin:
"That was the goal today. Just get back to what we've been doing and holding every quarter. That was our goal at halftime, just keep our foot on the gas the whole game."
Junior guard Acacia Hayes:
"I feel like this was one of those really fun games. Me, Jo and Lex have been playing together for a long time. So, being out there with them and seeing them doing well it makes the game easier and more fun."
NEXT UP
The Lady Toppers host Jacksonville State on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. WKU will hold a pregame clinic before the game for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The clinic is free to attend. WKU will also be celebrating the 1984-85 and 1985-86 Final Four Lady Topper teams for their induction into the WKU Hall of Fame.
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.
