A late comeback by WKU Women’s Basketball fell too little too late Saturday as the Lady Toppers dropped their second game of CUSA play at home against FIU in an 80-79 loss.
It appeared to be all but over as FIU took a big 76-62 lead with three minutes to go in the game before a scrappy WKU forced six turnovers in the final 2:35, pulling the game within one.
With six seconds left, the Lady Toppers had a chance to secure the win, however, a missed layup sealed the deal for FIU. The Lady Toppers finished the game on a 17-4 run.
Despite the loss, the Lady Toppers forced 38 turnovers keeping them in the game. WKU was led by senior forward Destiny Salary who scored 21 points and three steals. Senior guard Alexis Mead tacked on 20 points of her own.
First Half
It was a quick start for both teams as they combined for 25 points in five minutes of play. The threes were falling for the Lady Toppers as they shot 45% giving themselves a slight 26-21 lead going into the second quarter after a last-second three from the Panthers.
FIU capitalized on the momentum, beginning the second on a 12-0 run led by junior guard Angena Belloso who put up eight quick points making it a 33-26 FIU advantage.
The Lady Topper got nothing going as they went cold shooting just 27% from the field resulting in 13 points in the quarter. After the huge start, the Panthers took a 44-39 lead into halftime.
Second Half
After a cold second quarter, the Lady Toppers came out on an 8-2 run, taking the lead a 47-46 lead at the media timeout.
After eight points in just three minutes of play in the quarter, the Lady Toppers hit another cold spell shooting 0-10 from the three-point line. Coming out of the media timeout it was all FIU as they went on a 17-8 run and took a 63-55 lead going into the final 10 minutes of play.
FIU came out hot in the fourth quarter taking a 76-62 lead. WKU did not go away, going on a quick 7-0 run to make it a 76-69 Panthers lead with two minutes to go. The Lady Toppers continued to force FIU into turnovers, pulling the gap within three, 80-77, with just 20 seconds left.
The Lady Toppers continued to fight, down 80-79 with just nine seconds remaining. However, WKU could not convert on a final layup and the FIU Panthers escaped with the win.
WKU will continue to search for their first CUSA win of the season as they travel to Jacksonville State on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 P.M.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected].
