Dominic Di Palermo

Forward Caitlin Staley (22) goes up for a layup during a game against the Mercer Bears in the Diddle arena on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

WKU Women’s Basketball defeated Bucknell University 63-45 at Diddle Arena on Nov. 21 in a comeback effort. 

The Lady Toppers hosted the Bucknell Bison on Tuesday morning in their quest to remain atop the Conference USA standings. Led by guards Acacia Hayes and Alexis Mead, WKU came out victorious in the battle of the defenses.

It was all defense in the first half of the contest. Going into the second period, the Lady Toppers sported an 11-5 lead. However, in the second period, WKU’s offense began to slow down. A free throw from senior Teresa Faustino, along with a layup from junior Acacia Hayes were the only three points that the Lady Toppers were able to amount in the period.

This period was a drastic change from the Lady Topper’s usual output. In comparison, WKU’s offense scored 39 points against Miami (OH) in a single period just three days prior.

It was a different Lady Topper offense in the second half, as sophomore guard, Acacia Hayes, connected for two deep threes to remove WKU’s seven-point halftime deficit, and give WKU a six-point lead heading into the fourth.

That six-point lead would only grow in the final period, thanks in part to Aaliyah Pitts’ nine points on 3-5 shooting from three. 

The Lady Toppers outscored the Bison 49-24 in the second half, leading to a 63-45 victory for WKU.

After the game, Lady Topper Assistant Head Coach, Todd Buchanan, spoke to the media after the game about the locker room’s mentality at Half Time.

“Relax,” Coach Buchanan said, “I mean, they did it on the road at Miami (OH). You know, sometimes we can’t get out of our own way so to speak, and you know, to their credit, you know, they have a lot of pride.”

The Lady Toppers head to Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida this Friday to take on No. 16 Kansas State in the first round of the Gulf Coast Showcase.