Lady Toppers Make History with Stellar 6-0 Start to the Season

Bowling Green, Ky. – Lady Toppers Shine with Impressive Start

The WKU women’s basketball team is making waves this season, boasting an impressive 6-0 start and marking the third-best beginning in the program’s storied history. This milestone comes on the heels of a thrilling 92-62 victory against the Tennessee State Tigers on Wednesday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. It’s been over two decades since the Lady Toppers have seen a start like this, with the last time being in the 1994-95 season when they kicked things off with an exhilarating 15-0 record.

The Game Breakdown

From the very first moments of the game, the Lady Toppers established their dominance. Tennessee State managed to score first with a well-placed jumper, but it didn’t take long for WKU to respond. Destiny Salary got the ball rolling for WKU with a basket, followed quickly by a three-pointer from Josie Gilvin, giving WKU an early lead of 5-2.

And then came the explosive moment that set the tone for the rest of the match – a staggering 19-0 run by WKU, which soared them ahead to a commanding 20-point lead with just 1:49 left in the first quarter. Although the Tigers managed to score some points towards the end of the quarter, WKU maintained a comfortable lead, heading into the second with a remarkable 28-11 advantage.

The second quarter saw WKU continuing to push their momentum as they kicked off with a 13-1 run, largely thanks to Mackenzie Chatfield, who scored nine of those points. By halftime, the Lady Toppers had widened their lead even further, finishing the half with a solid 54-26 score.

Momentum Continues

The second half wasn’t without its challenges. WKU began the third quarter strong, but Tennessee State began to fight back, scoring 15 points in the first four minutes. However, the Lady Toppers weren’t about to let their guard down. They responded with a quick 10-0 run, edging out Tennessee State with a score of 26-23 in the quarter.

As the final quarter rolled in, WKU continued to hold their ground, even though Tennessee State managed to make some headway, outscoring WKU 13-12. This performance showcased not only the strength of the Lady Toppers but also their resilience and teamwork throughout the game.

Coach and Player Insights

Head coach Greg Collins spoke about the importance of staying focused, acknowledging that despite the Tigers’ record, they were a formidable opponent. “Tennessee State’s record doesn’t indicate how well-coached they are, how athletic they are, how long and how good they are at attacking the rim,” he shared. “I was proud of the starters getting out there and pushing the envelope, making good decisions and good shots.”

Sophomore guard Mackenzie Chatfield also highlighted the importance of practice and teamwork. “Every day we’re trying to get to know each other and learn how to play well together. Defense leads to offense, and I think we did a good job here of turning them over and sharing the basketball. That makes it fun,” she said with enthusiasm.

Junior guard Josie Gilvin emphasized the need to maintain their strong starts and focus on defense. “We’ve emphasized having good starts and that has helped us a lot. When we don’t do that, we let teams get back in the game, and we need to stay locked in.”

Looking Ahead

The Lady Toppers aren’t slowing down any time soon. Their next challenge awaits as they wrap up their three-game homestand against Miami (Ohio) this Sunday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. With all eyes on this talented team, who knows what records they might break next!