HOW IT HAPPENED
After winning the tipoff, WKU was the first team to put points on the board. Trinity Rowe connected on a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give WKU an early 3-0 lead. After a Vanderbilt basket on the next possession, Hayven Smith gave WKU a 5-2 lead with a jumper in the paint. The Commodores cut into that lead with a pair of free throws, but Rowe's second three of the night put WKU back ahead 8-4. Vanderbilt scored again, but a baseline jumper from Torri James put WKU ahead 10-6. The Lady Toppers held a 12-9 lead with 6:46 left in the quarter when Vanderbilt used a 9-0 run to take the lead for the first time. From there the Commodores outscored WKU 22-6 to take a 31-18 lead into the second quarter.
WKU struggled with Vanderbilt's full-court pressure in the second quarter, scoring just seven points and turning the ball over 12 times. The Commodores were ahead 57-25 at halftime.
The Lady Toppers bounced back in the third quarter, scoring 21 points in the frame. Smith had seven of those points and James added six.
NOTABLES
- Hayven Smith led WKU in scoring with a career high 15 points along with a season high five rebounds.
- Torri James had her best game of the season, putting up a season high 12 points.
- Josie Gilvin scored in double figures for the third straight game, notching 10 points along with six rebounds and four assists.
- Trinity Rowe had her first double digit game of the season, scoring 10 points to go with three rebounds and three assists.
- Kamille Brown had two career highs with six rebounds and six assists.
- The four Lady Toppers in double digit points were the most in a game for WKU this season.
- WKU continued to shoot well from the free throw line, going 7-of-7 from the charity stripe. The Lady Toppers are shooting 83.1 percent from the free throw line as a team.
UP NEXT
The Lady Toppers will return home to host Kentucky State on Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 PM in E.A. Diddle Arena.
Tickets: Season tickets for the 2026-27 Lady Topper Basketball season are still available and can be purchased here. Single games tickets are also available here.
Lady Topper Legacy Club: If you are interested in making an impact with Lady Topper Basketball, consider joining the Lady Topper Legacy Club. The Lady Topper Legacy Club is an exclusive group of donors who give philanthropically in support of WKU Women's Basketball. Donations to the Lady Topper Legacy Club are used for a variety of things ranging from facility enhancements to charter flights to nutrition upgrades. All funds are spent at the discretion of the head women's basketball coach in order to enhance the program and the student-athlete experience. For more information, visit this link.
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.
