WKU women’s basketball defeated UNC Charlotte 83-61 thanks to a big contribution from senior forward Tashia Brown in her final home game.

In her final game in Diddle, Tashia Brown recorded a new single-game career high with 38 points. Brown’s previous career high was 34 points against Old Dominion University on Feb. 18, 2016.

Tashia Brown flirted with the program’s all-time record of 42 points, which Crystal Kelly scored against University of Louisiana-Monroe in 2008.

“I was just playing” Brown said. “I didn’t even know what I had at halftime until they said something to me in the locker room. I wasn’t really try to go for a certain amount of points.”

Senior forward Ivy Brown was limited to just 19 minutes of action due to foul trouble, but still registered 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting and 5 rebounds.

Head coach Michelle Clark-Heard appreciated Ivy Brown’s toughness despite the fact that she was forced to watch the action.

“That’s what she is” Clark-Herd said after the game. “If Ivy’s name was in the dictionary, beside her name would be hardest worker and tough. That’s what she is and what she does every single day.”

For Charlotte, Nyilah Jamison-Myers led the way in scoring with 14 points and Laia Raventos tallied 11 as well.

WKU claimed an 11-9 lead early thanks to its intensity on the offensive glass. At the first timeout, the Lady Toppers were out-rebounding the 49ers 10-3 and had grabbed seven offensive rebounds.

Dee Givens started strong for WKU, tallying five points and three rebounds off the bench in just five minutes.

Despite shooting just 37 percent in the first quarter, the Lady Toppers held a seven point lead at its conclusion. Tashia Brown started her senior night off well with 12 of WKU’s first 22 points.

WKU held a major advantage in free throw makes, making eight compared to 3 for Charlotte, and out-rebounded Charlotte 15-6.  

The Lady Toppers opened up a big lead early in the second, going on a 9-2 run during the first four minutes of the quarter.

WithIvy Brown only playing a minute in the first half due to foul trouble, Tashia Brown took over. She notched 24 first half points to go along with eight rebounds.

The Lady Toppers continued their defensive dominance. They held Charlotte to only 29 percent shooting, dominated the glass 28-15 and took a 43-26 lead to half.

Tashia Brown continued her offensive tear into the second half. She scored the first nine points of the half, putting her up to 33 on the night.

A 9-0 run from the Lady Toppers extended the lead to 24. Ivy Brown got going, scoring five quick points on the run. The Lady Toppers entered the final quarter leading 64-42.

Both Ivy and Tashia Brown got a standing ovation as they checked out of the game with 1:53 remaining for the final time in Diddle Arena.

The Lady Toppers didn’t give any ground in the final quarter, securing the 83-61 victory.

With the home games in the books, the Lady Toppers round out the regular season at University of Southern Mississippi next Thursday and at University of Texas-El Paso on Saturday.

Sports reporter Alec Jessie can be reached at 502-648-7190 and [email protected]. Follow Alec on Twitter at @Alec_Jessie.