BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Western Kentucky Lady Toppers face a crucial Conference USA matchup against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on at 2:00 PM CT in E.A. Diddle Arena. The game offers a “Red Out” atmosphere for fans, alongside a “Grow The Game” pregame clinic and camper reunion.
WKU (6-18, 2-11 CUSA) is looking to snap an 11-game conference losing streak against a Middle Tennessee (14-11, 9-4 CUSA) squad currently tied for second place in the CUSA standings. The Blue Raiders have demonstrated consistency within the conference, securing sweeps over Kennesaw State and Jax State, and earning victories against UTEP, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, Liberty, and previously against the Lady Toppers.
This is the 89th meeting between the two programs, with WKU trailing in the all-time series 35-54. However, the Lady Toppers hold a 25-17 advantage in games played in Bowling Green. The teams previously met this season on in Murfreesboro, a game Middle Tennessee won. In that contest, Salma Khedr led WKU with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Trinity Rowe added 11 points.
For Western Kentucky, Salma Khedr continues to be the primary offensive threat, averaging 9.9 points per game. Zsofia Telegdy leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 4.7 boards per contest. The Lady Toppers have showcased balanced scoring throughout the season, with nine different players leading the team in points on at least one occasion. This includes Khedr (seven times), Torri James (four times), and Telegdy (three times).
Recent defensive efforts have been a bright spot for WKU. In their February 14th game against Jax State, the Lady Toppers limited the Gamecocks to just 41 total points, the fewest allowed in a conference game since , when they held UTSA to 38. The team also recorded nine blocks against Southern Illinois, tying for the seventh-most in program history.
The Lady Toppers’ roster features a veteran presence, boasting six seniors or fifth-year players. Despite the experience, no player has been with the program for more than two seasons. WKU also showcases international diversity, with a program-record six international players on the roster. Trinity Rowe, a Kentucky native, continues the program’s tradition as the 15th Miss Kentucky Basketball to play for the Lady Toppers, a distinction no other program in the country can claim.
Middle Tennessee is led in scoring by Alayna Contreras, who averages 13.6 points per game. Blair Baugus contributes 12.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game for the Blue Raiders. Their success stems from a strong conference record, with losses coming against Louisiana Tech, Delaware, Missouri State, and Florida International.
Fans can tune in to watch the game on ESPN+, or listen live on ESPN 102.7 in Bowling Green or via the Varsity Network. Live stats will also be available on WKUSports.com. The game marks a key opportunity for WKU to gain momentum as the regular season winds down, while Middle Tennessee looks to solidify its position near the top of the CUSA standings.
Head Coach Greg Collins is in his eighth season leading the Lady Toppers, the third-longest tenure of any coach in program history. He’ll be looking for a response from his team after the earlier season loss to Middle Tennessee, hoping to leverage the home-court advantage and recent defensive improvements to secure a much-needed conference victory.
IMPORTANT LINKS: WKU GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | VARSITY NETWORK | WKU MEDIA CENTER
