WKU women’s basketball fell to Liberty, Wednesday, in the quarterfinal round of the Conference-USA tournament 62-59.
With an opportunity to avenge their previous loss to the Flames, WKU was unable to complete the comeback in the final seconds, missing two to three-pointers to tie it. This loss eliminates the team from the conference tournament and NCAA tournament contention.
Senior guard Destiny Salary gave it all she had, dropping 22 points on 50% shooting from the field. She added nine rebounds. Fellow senior guard Teresa Faustino added 12 points.
WKU shot 36.5% from the field and made seven three-pointers on 26 attempts. Three missed free throws in the game were the difference.
The first half started off slow for WKU. They shot 1-10 on non-three-point shots and 4-17 from the field in the first quarter. They outrebounded the Flames 12-11 and only trailed by three ending the quarter. In the second quarter, WKU improved their shooting percentage to 40% for the quarter. The defense forced six turnovers. Salary scored five points in the quarter, leading WKU who was down just six at halftime 31-25.
In the second half, things turned around. Salary led the charge with nine points in the third quarter. The team shot 50% from the field and forced six more Liberty turnovers. WKU held the Flames to four made field goals, giving the Lady Toppers the score advantage in the third 18-14.
The fourth quarter continued to be the Destiny Salary takeover game, leading the team in scoring throughout the second half. WKU never led in the fourth but kept it close despite tying it in the third. Down four, a clutch three-point basket by Faustino cut the lead to one with 11 seconds remaining. However, despite two attempts with 10 seconds remaining, WKU missed two three-point opportunities after the intentional foul free throws by Liberty, falling 62-59.
This loss takes the Lady Toppers out of C-USA and NCAA tournament contention.
