Despite a poor offensive performance, WKU Women’s Basketball picked up their first win of Conference USA play Thursday as the Lady Toppers won at Jacksonville State in a low-scoring 51-44 contest
The Lady Toppers shot just 39% from the field and 20% from three in the win. The Gamecocks struggled as well, shooting just 27% from the field and 15% from three.
Junior forward Zsofia Telegdy led the way for the Lady Toppers with 13 points along with eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Mackenzie Chatfield gave a spark off the bench with nine fourth-quarter points along with three assists.
First Half
The Lady Toppers took an 11-4 lead going into the first media timeout. After the media timeout, Jacksonville State went on a 9-0 run to take a 13-11 lead. However, nine first-quarter points from Telegdy gave WKU a 15-13 lead going into the second quarter.
It was another quick start for the Lady Toppers in the second quarter. They went on a 6-0 run going into the media timeout holding the Gamecocks scoreless for the first five minutes of the quarter and taking a 21-13 lead. After the timeout, Jacksonville State got their feet underneath them, pulling the gap to three going into the half 25-22
Second Half
In the third quarter, neither team could get anything going, combining for just 15 third-quarter points. Junior guard Josie Gilvin came alive for the Lady Toppers scoring all six of their points.
The shooting struggles continued for both teams as they combined for 6-29 from the field. Going into the final 10 minutes neither could keep the lead and were tied at 31-31.
In the fourth quarter, it was all WKU led by Chatfield and Telegdy as the Lady Toppers took a nine-point lead with three minutes left in the game, 44-35. WKU took a 48-40 lead with just 33 seconds left. Jacksonville State senior forward Bre’Anna Rhodes went on a four-point scoring run late to pull the Gamecock deficit to 48-44. The surge from the Gamecocks was too little too late as WKU claimed their first conference win of the season 51-44.
WKU will travel to Kennesaw, Georgia on Saturday, Jan 11 to take on the 5-8 (0-2) Kennesaw State Owls at 1 P.M. on ESPN+.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected].
