WKU Women’s Basketball is rolling in Conference USA with a 17-6 record, and an 8-3 record in conference, good for third place in the league.
The Lady Toppers are on track to have their second-best season in the Greg Collins era with their best coming in the 2019-2020 season where they finished 22-7.
This season the Lady Toppers had their best start under Collins, and their best start in nearly 30 years, starting 7-0.
Offense
The offense for the Lady Toppers has come from four upperclassmen, spearheaded by senior guard Alexis Mead. They have multiple players who can score in double figures any day of the week.
The Lady Toppers have had no problem putting points on the board, going into the second half of the season they rank second in CUSA just behind Liberty.
Acacia Hayes is another one of the leading scorers. Hayes has had a few bumps in the road, missing two games due to injury. However, she has scored in all but one game she has appeared in and is averaging 45.6% from the floor.
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Chatfield has been essential to this hot start as the sixth leading scorer. In her second season, she is putting up career highs, averaging almost six points a game.
Junior guard Josie Gilvin has been an integral part of the offense. Gilvin has gone from the seventh leading scorer to the fourth, posting career highs across the board in her junior season.
The Lady Topper offense is built by committee, along with limiting turnovers. The Lady Toppers lead the CUSA in assists per game (15.9) and turnover margin (7.09).
Peyton’s Most Impactful Offensive Player: Acacia Hayes
Despite having multiple options, Hayes is having her second-best scoring season of her career averaging just under 12 points. The backcourt duo of Hayes and Mead has been vital for the success of the Lady Toppers.
Austin’s Most Impactful Offensive Player: Alexis Mead
The Lady Toppers have a deep unit that continues to get better every week, and there are several legitimate picks to be made. Still, Mead is the leading scorer on a deep team while dominating on the defensive end.
Mead has been unbelievable this season, averaging 14 points and four assists per game. At the same time, she is a force on the defensive end, averaging 2.6 steals per game.
Defense
When you speak on the Lady Topper defense, you have to mention Gilvin. The third-year guard has been a defensive force, averaging 2.4 steals a game, good for fourth in the CUSA.
“Josie, she is the energizer bunny, she should have an N.I.L. (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Red Bull or anybody. She is tireless and darn near indestructible,” Collins said.
Gilvin has helped power the Lady Toppers to a second-place finish in the CUSA in steals per game (11.8) and a fourth-ranked defense, only giving up 63.3 points per game.
Last season, the Lady Toppers gave up 70 or more points nine times, and so far this season it has only happened five times. In the games the Lady Toppers give up less than 70, they are 16-1.
The Lady Toppers in all aspects of the word have been a pest on the defensive end. This season the Lady Toppers are ranked in the top 25 in turnovers forced per game sitting at 21 with 21.35 turnovers forced.
Peyton’s Most Impactful Defensive Player: Josie Gilvin
Gilvin has by far been the most improved and impactful player on the defensive end. Going into the middle half of the season she is averaging career-highs in rebounds, steals, and blocks. Gilvin in my eyes has been the spark on defense for the Lady Toppers.
Austin’s Most Impactful Defensive Player: Josie Gilvin
Gilvin has been instrumental to the defensive identity of this Lady Hilltopper team, averaging the most steals on the team this season. Gilvin has been the key to the Hilltopper’s fourth-ranked defense and she is getting better every week.
Austin’s Midseason Grade: B+
The Lady Toppers are off to a strong start, but there have been difficult losses to FIU and New Mexico State. Time will tell if it ends in an NCAA tournament appearance, but WKU has proven they have the skills to get there. It should be an interesting rest of the season, as the Lady Toppers have proven they can beat just about anyone in the conference.
Peyton’s Midseason Grade: B
I would love to see the Lady Toppers improve and take better percentage shots. I think if they move the ball just a little bit more and not get late in the shot clock they will have a wonderful finish to the season. That is my only takeaway, the defense has been superb, and with better shot selection that could very well be at a B+ or A- in my mind.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected].
Sports Reporter Austin Rice can be reached at [email protected]
