The Lady Toppers (21-7, 12-4 CUSA) pounced on the Aggies (15-14, 8-8 CUSA) early with a big run in the first quarter and lead by double digits the rest of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
New Mexico State scored the first points of the game, but WKU went on a dominant 19-2 run over the next five minutes. The Lady Toppers forced the Aggies into four turnovers during that stretch, getting two steals in the action. WKU had a 26-11 lead at the end of the quarter and had recoded 10 assists on 10 made field goals in the frame. The Lady Toppers also connected on 6-of-8 shots from 3-point range and 10-of-15 from the field.
The second quarter when back-and-forth with WKU's lead fluctuating from 13-15 for most of the period. WKU used a 9-4 scoring advantage in the final two minutes to grow that lead to 20 going into halftime.
WKU came out aggressive again in the third quarter, using a 15-2 run to start the period which expanded the lead out to 33 with 4:49 left in the quarter. The Lady Toppers went into the fourth quarter ahead 69-37. WKU was outscored 31-16 in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 85-68.
NOTABLES
- Alexis Mead led the team in scoring with fifth 20-point performance of the season, dropping 23 points to go along with eight assists, six rebounds and a pair of steals.
- Josie Gilvin had her fifth straight double-digit scoring game with 18 points to go with six rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block.
- Destiny Salary scored 17 for the second straight game and added seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Salary made a career high five 3-pointers in the game.
- Mackenzie Chatfield rounded out the double digit scorers with 11 points companied with five assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block.
- The Lady Toppers improve to 77-20 under Collins and 13-2 on the season when scoring 70-or-more points and 35-6 under Collins and 7-0 this season when scoring over 80.
- WKU improves to 100-26 under Collins and 19-2 this season when holding teams below 70.
- The 85 points WKU scored in the game were the most the Lady Toppers have scored against a CUSA opponent since 91 against UAB on Feb. 25, 2023.
- The Lady Toppers finished with 23 assists. WKU is 15-1 this season when notching 15-or-more helpers and 5-1 when dishing out 20-or-more. WKU has had double digit assists in all but one game this. The Lady Toppers had 10 assists on 10 made field goals in the first quarter.
- WKU shot 50.8 percent (30-59) from the field. It was the fifth time this season the Lady Toppers have shot 50 percent or better in a game and are 5-0 when doing so. WKU is 19-1 this season when shooting a better percentage than their opponents.
- The Lady Toppers improve to 10-2 this season when outrebounding their opponents. WKU gave up just 25 rebounds to the Aggies, the fewest WKU has given up to an opponent all season.
- It was the 14th time this season WKU has had four players finish in double digit points. The Lady Toppers are 10-4 this season when doing so.
- WKU made 12 threes in the game, bringing the season total up to 214 which is tied for the fourth most in program history (also achieved in 2023-24 and 2018-19).
NEXT UP
The Lady Toppers end the regular season with a pair of road games next week, taking on FIU on Thursday and Liberty on Saturday.
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.
