WKU Women’s Basketball fell 74-70 in a season finale thriller at Liberty Saturday.
After a first half where it looked like the Lady Toppers could not miss, shooting 71% in the first and 46% in the second, the second half was a different story.
In the second half, the Lady Toppers attempted just 34 shots allowing Liberty multiple runs. WKU shot just 46% in the half compared to the Flame’s 58% and Liberty took advantage, outscoring WKU 42-31.
Despite the loss, junior guard Josie Gilvin led the way with a career-high 31 points, along with six rebounds and seven steals. No other Lady Topper scored more than nine.
First Half
The Lady Toppers started hot in the first quarter taking a quick 17-9 lead going into the media timeout. After the timeout, WKU scored in waves riding a 9-2 run to a 26-14 lead going into the second quarter. Gilvin led the way in the quarter with 14 points.
Liberty closed the deficit in the second quarter jumping out to a 7-4 run bringing the gap to nine.
However, the scoring continued for WKU taking a 35-23 lead into the media timeout.
Liberty came out of the timeout on a 9-4 run heading into halftime. Gilvin continued inserting herself scoring six points in the quarter leading WKU to a 39-32 lead at the half.
Second Half
Liberty continued chipping away at the WKU lead. The 3-point shooting from the Flames closed the gap shooting 3-4 from beyond the arc.
The Lady Toppers held on to a 45-44 lead going into the media timeout. The Lady Toppers had no answer for Liberty, as the Flames took a 57-51 lead forcing a WKU timeout. Liberty took a 60-53 lead going into the final quarter.
WKU continued struggling from the floor in the fourth shooting 2-7 from the field. Liberty took a 67-59 lead going to the media timeout.
WKU erased the gap out of the timeout with a 5-0 run, pulling the game within three, 67-64, with four minutes to go. The Lady Toppers continued fighting, pulling the game within two, 72-70, with 20 seconds remaining. Despite the fight, two made free throws for Liberty put the game away 74-70.
With the loss, the Lady Toppers finished the regular season with a 22-8 record and 13-5 in CUSA. WKU will travel to Huntsville, Alabama next week for the Conference USA tournament in hopes of an automatic bid for March Madness.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at [email protected].