Wichita, Kan. – A Tough Battle for WKU Women’s Basketball
In a tightly contested matchup on Sunday afternoon, the WKU women’s basketball team faced off against the Wichita State Shockers. The game, held in Wichita, saw the Lady Toppers struggle to keep their winning streak alive, ultimately falling short with a final score of 64-59. With this loss, the Lady Toppers now have a record of 7-1 for the season.
Game Highlights
The game kicked off with Acacia Hayes scoring the first points for WKU after successfully capitalizing on a turnover from the Shockers. Despite an early back-and-forth exchange, the Lady Toppers found themselves momentarily taking the lead thanks to a three-pointer from Alexis Mead, putting them ahead at 5-2.
However, the Shockers quickly retaliated with a robust 7-0 run. Nevertheless, WKU countered this surge with a 10-0 run of their own, with standout performances from bench players Mariama Sow and Mead, both contributing five points. At the end of the first quarter, the scoreboard read 15-11 in favor of the Lady Toppers, giving fans a glimmer of hope.
Struggles in the Second Quarter
Unfortunately, the second quarter proved to be a significant challenge for WKU. In what would be the lowest scoring quarter of the season for the Lady Toppers, they mustered only four points, shooting a dismal 1-of-17 from the floor and failing to hit from beyond the arc with a 0-of-6 record in three-point attempts. This scoring drought allowed Wichita State to take command of the game, finishing the half ahead by a score of 28-19.
The Comeback Attempt
Determined not to be defeated, WKU returned after halftime with energy and focus. The Lady Toppers began to cut into the Shockers’ lead during the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 17-15. Mead led the charge with seven points, while Josie Gilvin contributed five, keeping spirits high as the Lady Toppers entered the final quarter trailing by just 43-36.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Wichita State briefly held a nine-point lead with just over seven minutes left in the game. However, the Lady Toppers showed great determination, with back-to-back baskets bringing them within five. That momentum continued as Sow drained five points in a row, making it just a two-point game by the 5:16 mark.
A Nail-Biting Finish
With the game drawing to a close, Destiny Salary stepped up to the line and hit a pair of free throws, yet the Shockers quickly responded to maintain a lead. As the teams traded points, the pressure built. A three-pointer from Mead late in the game cut the deficit back to four, and with less than two seconds on the clock, Wichita State made a free throw to seal the deal at 64-59.
Looking Ahead
While the Lady Toppers faced a setback, the season is still young and full of potential. They will return to their home court to take on Kentucky Wesleyan this coming Wednesday, December 11, at 6:30 p.m. If there’s one thing we learned today, it’s that the Lady Toppers are eager to bounce back and bring their energy as they continue through the season.
It’s a great day to be a Lady Topper fan! Let’s show our support as they regroup and get ready for the next challenge.
