Oregon State came out firing against WKU in their first game of the Maui Invitational and handled the Lady Toppers 80-58 handing WKU their second loss of the season.
WKU struggled from the field shooting 35% as well as 34% from three-point range. The Lady Toppers were unable to do what they do best in forcing turnovers, forcing only 11.
Despite struggling from the field as a team, senior guard Destiny Salary was a bright spot for the Lady Toppers, shooting 47% from the field and totaling 21 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
FIRST HALF
OSU jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead to open the first quarter led by five points from senior guard Tiara Bolden. The Lady Toppers closed the gap going into the second quarter, making it 17-12 behind 10 points from Salary.
In the second quarter, the Lady Toppers did not have an answer for the offense of the Beavers as they jumped out to an 8-2 run to begin the second quarter taking a 25-14 lead. Freshman forward Salma Khedr looked to keep WKU in the game, leading the Lady Toppers in the second quarter with six points.
Despite the six points from Khedr the duo from OSU of senior guard Catarina Ferreira and Bolden could not miss with 14 and 15 points respectively giving the Beavers a 36-23 lead going into the half.
SECOND HALF
WKU continued to struggle from the field in the third quarter shooting only 38% as the Beavers continued to rain in points shooting 58% from the field. The Lady Toppers looked to start fast behind a 5-2 run but OSU continued to pull away.
Going into the final 10 minutes the Beavers took a commanding 61-39 lead.
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Chatfield came alive for the Lady Toppers in the fourth quarter shooting 75% from three-point range and scoring 11 points. Unfortunately for WKU, no one else got started as OSU was on fire from the field, handing WKU their second loss of the season 80-58.
WKU will take on the 5-6 Nevada Wolfpack in their second and final match at the Maui Invitational Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected]
