HOW IT HAPPENED
Tia Shelling, Trinity Rowe, Tatum Boettjer, Zsofia Telegdy and Salma Khedr were the first five on the court for WKU. It is the 11th different starting lineup for the Lady Toppers this season.
Both teams were held scoreless for almost the first two minutes of the game. Middle Tennessee finally broke the ice with a free throw at the 8:18 mark. Shelling made the first field goal of the game, connecting on a 3-pointer on the next play. The Blue Raiders followed with a 6-0 run. A 3-pointer from Rowe stopped the run, but Middle Tennessee used a 5-0 run to take a 12-6 lead. The two teams went back and forth, but the Blue Raiders made back-to-back 3-pointers to close out the quarter with a 26-15 lead.
Middle Tennessee opened the second quarter with a basket then Torri James followed it up with a pair of free throws. The Blue Raiders responded with a 15-0 run. A 3-pointer from Lola Bond stopped the run for the Lady Toppers. The Blue Raiders came back with a three of their own, but Boettjer scored the final points of the quarter with a three. Middle Tennessee took a 46-23 lead into halftime.
The second half was an even affair with both teams scoring 25 points each.
NOTABLES
- Salma Khedr led the Lady Toppers in scoring for the sixth time this season with 13 points. It was her fifth double digit performance in the last eight games and the 10th double digit game of the season. She also tied a career high with seven rebounds.
- Trinity Rowe added 11 points for her sixth double digit game of the season. She dished out five assists, marking her fifth game this season with at least five helpers.
- The WKU bench contributed 21 points to Middle Tennessee's zero.
UP NEXT
The Lady Toppers continue a road swing, making trips to FIU (Feb. 5) and Missouri State (Feb. 7).
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, @WKU.WBB on TikTok and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball.
