WKU wasn’t able to sweep its Florida road trip after shooting just 16.7 percent in the second half at Florida-International en route to a 72-53 loss Saturday.
The Lady Toppers held a 41-38 lead early in the second half before FIU went on a 25-0 run.
WKU (18-7, 11-5 Sun Belt Conference) went 10:49 in the second half without scoring.
Going into the contest, coach Michelle Clark-Heard wanted to be able to control FIU guard Jerica Coley – the nation’s leading scorer at 25.4 points per game.
Coley, however, had different plans.
Coley gave the Lady Toppers fits all night, scoring 38 points – one shy of her career high – and grabbing nine rebounds.
WKU’s three highest scorers – sophomore forward Chastity Gooch, sophomore guard Alexis Govan and junior guard Bianca McGee – combined to shoot just 10-of-40 from the field for 32 points.
The Lady Toppers will return to the comfort of Diddle Arena Feb. 20 against Louisiana-Monroe.