WKU posted an 80-72 victory over Charlotte on Thursday night as the Lady Toppers won an outright Conference USA Regular Season crown in their first season in the league. It is the program’s 11th conference title in program history.
WKU (26-4, 15-2) led by 18 points in the second half en route to their eighth straight victory and 23rdin 25 games.
Senior All-American candidate Chastity Gooch had a team high 22 points and redshirt sophomore Kendall Noble had another well rounded performance with 11 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and five steals in the win. Freshman Tashia Brown (11 points) and junior Micah Jones (13 points) rounded out the four Lady Toppers in double figures.
The Lady Toppers fell behind by nine points in the first half before erasing a deficit of eight points or more to win for the third time in four games and fifth time this season. WKU trailed 23-14 midway through the first half before the Lady Toppers used a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 25-24 and eventually grabbed the lead at 33-32 as part of a 10-0 run that saw a 32-28 defict become a 38-32 lead with 2:10left in the first half after an Ivy Brown three.
Charlotte (13-16, 10-7) was led by Lefty Webster’s 24 points. Kira Gordon and Hillary Sigmon each scored 14 for Coach Cara Consegura’s team.
The Lady Toppers return to the court this weekend when WKU will honor its three seniors Saturday in E.A. Diddle Arena as Alexis Govan, Chastity Gooch and Ileana Johnson will take the floor in E.A. Diddle Arena for the final time against Old Dominion on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m.. Senior night ceremonies will be held following the game against Old Dominion. Students can also take advantage of a t-shirt exchange at the game. The first 100 students to bring a t-shirt of another school to the student entrance can exchange it for a WKU Basketball free t-shirt. The Party 1 Kids Zone will also be available prior to tipoff on the third floor concourse.
Select tickets for the game will be 25 cents in honor of the Lady Toppers’ 25 wins on the season entering this week’s games. The tickets can be purchased online at WKUSports.com, at the WKU Ticket Office in E.A. Diddle Arena or via phone at 1-800-5-BIG RED or 745-5222 locally.
Students receive free admission to all Lady Topper Basketball games. Members of the Red Wave, WKU’s student support group, are encouraged to Bring a Friend to the Game for the remainder of the season for the chance to win great prizes. Students can check in at the Red Wave Table at the student entrance of E.A. Diddle Arena for more information.
WKU Director of Athletics Todd Stewart has also extended a unique offer for the remainder of the season.
“Our women’s basketball team is off to a great start this season, but we need more people in the stands,” said Stewart. “I guarantee you will have a great time seeing this team this year. Please buy a ticket and see this Lady Topper team. If you don’t have a great time, send me your ticket stub and I will refund your money.”
In addition, free parking will be available in PS1 and in the upper floors of PS2. Lots 1-5 and first floor of PS2 will continue to be reserved for HAF members.