Four Lady Toppers scored in double figures Thursday helping rally late for a 65-59 win on the road against UTEP, marking their sixth straight win.
Guards Destiny Salary and Alexis Mead both led the way with 15 points and junior guard Acacia Hayes added 13 points off the bench.
The Hilltopper defense was explosive, holding UTEP under 60 points, the seventh time this season the Lady Toppers accomplished this feat. The team totaled eight steals and three blocks, with Hayes tallying three steals and two blocks of her own. The Miners were held to just 40% shooting from the field and 23% from three.
The Lady Toppers shot 41% from the field and 26% from 3-point range.
First Half
Salary took over in the first, dominating with nine points in the first quarter, fueling the Lady Toppers to a 21-15 lead. Mead added on with seven of her own, and junior guard Josie Gilvin scored five points to continue her hot shooting streak.
Senior guard Acacia Hayes scored four quick points to power the Hilltoppers to a 33-24 lead heading into the break. The Hilltopper defense was stifling, holding the Miners to just nine points, and a 25% shooting percentage in the quarter.
Second Half
The Lady Toppers started strong in the third, building a 43-31 lead with just over four minutes to play. But the Miners fought back, outscoring WKU 13-2 in just three minutes of game time. However, the Lady Toppers scored five straight to end the quarter, led by Hayes with seven points.
The lead evaporated in the fourth quarter as the Lady Hilltoppers shot just 2-12 in the first eight minutes. The Miners took their first lead since early in the first quarter, trailing 59-57 with under three minutes left in the game. But the Lady Toppers offenseโs committee approach took over in the clutch, scoring the final eight points to cement another win. Five Lady Toppers were in scoring figures in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Toppers continue their road trip as they take on New Mexico State this Saturday, Feb. 1. Tipoff is set for 3 pm.
Sports Reporter Austin Rice can be reached at Austin.rice714@topper.wku.edu.