WKU Women’s Basketball’s successful 2024-25 season came to a close in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament, finishing with a 23-9 record, the second-best finish behind Head Coach Greg Collins.
The Lady Toppers put together a top-three finish in CUSA for only the second time in the Collins era, finishing with a 13-5 conference record.
Although the season ended with a loss in their second game of the CUSA tournament, the Lady Toppers showed improvement on both ends of the floor from last season.
Offense
It was an offensive clinic for the Lady Toppers this season, averaging 72.7 points per game, the second-best average behind Collins. This was best for the highest-scoring offense in CUSA this season.
The Lady Toppers had plenty of options to score, with four players averaging double-figures. In her senior campaign, guard Alexis Mead led the team with 13.7 points per game, going for a career-high 29 points against Jacksonville State on Feb. 8.
Junior guard Josie Gilvin stepped up in a huge way this year, being the second leader scorer averaging 13.1 points per game. Gilvin also had a career game earlier this season, going off in the regular season finale against Liberty for 31 points.
The Lady Toppers kept the ball moving this season, averaging 16.4 assists per game, finishing first in CUSA. Mead was the main facilitator leading the Lady Toppers with four assists per game.
Mead put together another consistent season, averaging 13.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and four assists.
Austin’s Offensive MVP: Alexis Mead
There are several legitimate candidates for the best offensive player, as the offense was led by a committee all season. However, Mead stabilized the offense at the point guard position by averaging the most points and assists on the team.
Peyton’s Offensive MVP: Josie Gilvin
Gilvin was a difference-maker for the Lady Toppers. Despite not leading the team in scoring, she showed the most improvement this season. Gilvin scored in double figures in all but 12 games, including cementing career highs on three different occasions.
Defense
The Hilltopper defense improved drastically from last season, with the Lady Toppers dominating on the defensive end.
The Lady Toppers were second in the CUSA in steals, and first in turnover margin. In conference, three Hilltoppers were in the top eight individually in steals.
The defensive force is led by the three thieves of junior Josie Gilvin (2nd in steals), senior Alexis Mead (7th), and junior Acacia Hayes (8th).
Gilvin had a special season, averaging 2.6 steals on the defensive end, good for second in the CUSA. Gilvin also ranked seventh in blocks per game in conference, averaging nearly a block per game.
The dominance of Gilvin led the Lady Toppers to a second-place finish in steals per game, averaging nearly 11.
Austin’s Defensive MVP: Josie Gilvin
Gilvin dominated on the defensive end all season, averaging the most rebounds (6.3), and steals (2.6). Gilvin was the engine of the Lady Toppers’ defensive dominance this season.
Peyton’s Defensive MVP: Josie Gilvin
Just like on offense, Gilvin was a problem for teams on the defensive end. Despite being listed as a guard, Gilvin led the team in rebounds and steals but also led the Lady Toppers in blocks with nearly one per game (0.8).
Austin’s Season Grade: A-
The Lady Toppers greatly exceeded expectations this season, culminating in one of the best seasons of the Collins era. The Hilltoppers were predicted to finish fourth in the CUSA in the preseason poll.
The offense might’ve been the best we’ve seen from a Collins-led team, led by a committee of players that dropped career-highs across the board. Collins put on a coaching clinic, showing he should be at the helm for the future.
The loss to Middle Tennessee State in the conference tournament was a difficult ending to the season, but as a whole, this season was a return to form for the WKU Women’s basketball program.
Peyton’s Season Grade: A
The Lady Toppers had their best complete season under Collins, heavily improving from their 15-17 record of last season. Improving in points per game and leading CUSA in many categories, they had a complete season. They would have earned an A+, however losing in the CUSA semifinals due to an MTSU comeback dropped their grade.
With that being said the Lady Toppers have a bright future behind coach Collins and will look to reach bigger heights next season.
Sports Reporter Peyton Reid can be reached at peyton.reid502@topper.wku.edu
Sports Reporter Austin Rice can be reached at austin.rice714@topper.wku.edu
