WKU women’s basketball will hit the road for the first time in Conference USA play as the Lady Toppers face Jacksonville State on Thursday, January 9. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville, Alabama. Fans can tune in to the action on ESPN+ or listen on ESPN 102.7 in Bowling Green or via the Varsity Network.
Game Information:
- Matchup: WKU (9-5, 0-2 C-USA) at Jacksonville State (7-5, 1-0 C-USA)
- Date/Time: Thursday, January 9 | 6:30 PM CT
- Location: Pete Mathews Coliseum, Jacksonville, Ala.
- Watch: ESPN+
- Listen: ESPN 102.7 in Bowling Green or Varsity Network
About the Lady Toppers:
WKU enters the matchup with a 9-5 overall record and is looking to secure its first conference victory of the season.
- Offensive Leaders: Four Lady Toppers are averaging double-digit scoring this season: Alexis Mead (14.3 PPG), Destiny Salary (13.1 PPG), Acacia Hayes (12.7 PPG), and Josie Gilvin (10.4 PPG).
- Dynamic Scoring: WKU has showcased its depth with six different players leading the team in scoring across 14 games. Destiny Salary has led five times, Alexis Mead four, and Acacia Hayes twice. Zsofia Telegdy, Josie Gilvin, and Mackenzie Chatfield have each led the team once.
- Defensive Prowess: The Lady Toppers are averaging 12.9 steals per game, ranking 16th in the nation. Alexis Mead (3.07 SPG), Josie Gilvin (2.79 SPG), and Acacia Hayes (2.46 SPG) all rank in the top 10 in Conference USA in steals per game.
- Historic Month: WKU went undefeated in November, posting a perfect 6-0 record. It marked the first undefeated month (minimum three games) for the Lady Toppers since February 2017, when the team went 7-0.
- International Presence: WKU boasts five international players on its roster, the highest number in program history.
- Preseason Expectations: The Lady Toppers were picked to finish fourth in the Conference USA preseason coaches poll, behind Middle Tennessee, Liberty, and FIU.
Series Information:
Thursday’s game marks the third meeting all-time between WKU and Jacksonville State. The Lady Toppers won both matchups last season, including one on the road.
About the Gamecocks:
Jacksonville State comes into the contest with a 7-5 record, including a 1-0 start in Conference USA play after defeating Kennesaw State, 68-56.
- Non-Conference Highlights: The Gamecocks’ wins include victories over Life, New Orleans, Sewanee, UAB, South Carolina State, and Southern Utah. Their losses came against Arizona State, Missouri, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, and Utah Valley.
- Key Players: Bre’Anna Rhodes leads the Gamecocks in scoring, averaging 9.5 points per game, while Mya Barnes anchors the team on the boards with 5.5 rebounds per game.
Looking Ahead:
WKU looks to bounce back and capture its first conference win while continuing its dominance in the series against Jacksonville State. A victory on Thursday would provide momentum as the Lady Toppers dive deeper into their Conference USA schedule.
