Eli Randolph
WKU guard Destiny Salary (1) drives the ball during the Lady Topper's game against the Liberty Flames in Bowling Green, Ky. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Liberty got the best of the Lady Toppers in their opening game of Conference USA play Thursday as the Flames took down WKU 77-66.
Despite the loss, the Lady Toppers had four players in double figures. Senior guard Destiny Salary led the way with 19 points shooting 54% from the field.
Rebounding and three-point shooting paid dividends as the Flames won the rebounding battle by 16 and were lights out from beyond the arch shooting 52% from three.
FIRST HALF
The Lady Toppers jumped out to a fast start in the first quarter forcing two early turnovers resulting in three three-pointers for an early 9-3 lead just three minutes into the game. Despite a good start, Liberty went on a quick 7-0 run, ending the first quarter with a 14-13 lead.
WKU started the second quarter fast, going on a 7-0 run of their own taking a 20-14 lead. The Flames clawed back due to the tremendous three-point shooting, going five-for-nine giving them a 39-36 advantage over the Lady Toppers at halftime.
SECOND HALF
Liberty was in complete control for the majority of the third quarter jumping out to an eight-point lead due to the lights-out shooting from the Flames. The Lady Toppers rallied behind seven points from Salary with Liberty leading 58-53 going into the final 10 minutes of play.
The Lady Toppers had a hard time finding the bottom of the net early in the fourth. Liberty capitalized shooting 50% from the field to take their largest lead of the game, 72-61, with just two minutes in the game. WKU looked for a late surge and could not find anything as Liberty came out victorious 77-66.
WKU will host Florida International on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2 P.M. as they look to bounce back and claim their first conference win of the season.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at peyton.reid502@topper.wku.edu