In a commanding performance, the WKU women’s basketball team secured a resounding 63-43 victory against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday afternoon in Oxford. After a slow start in the first half, the Lady Toppers unleashed an offensive onslaught, scoring 39 points in the third quarter and a total of 51 points in the second half.
Key Performances:
- Teresa Faustino Shines: Teresa Faustino led WKU in scoring for the second time this season, delivering an outstanding performance with 17 points, tying her career high. Faustino showcased her sharpshooting abilities, connecting on a career-high five 3-pointers.
- Consistent Scoring from Acacia Hayes: Acacia Hayes continued her impressive scoring streak, contributing 13 points in the game. This marks her fourth straight game in double figures, emphasizing her crucial role in the team’s offensive dynamics.
- Odeth Betancourt’s Impact: Odeth Betancourt had a season-high 11 points and displayed versatility by tying her season-high with six rebounds, making a significant contribution to WKU’s well-rounded performance.
- Alexis Mead’s Playmaking: Alexis Mead showcased her playmaking skills by dishing out six assists, marking the third time this season that the junior has achieved this feat.
Coach Collins’ Milestones:
- This victory marked the 26th time that a team coached by Greg Collins has come back from a halftime deficit to secure a win.
- The Lady Toppers have an impressive record of 33-6 under Collins when holding their opponents below 60 points, showcasing the team’s defensive prowess.
- Coach Collins celebrated his 90th win as the head coach at WKU, further solidifying his impactful tenure with the program.
Game Overview:
- The first half saw both teams struggling on the offensive end, with WKU shooting just 9.1 percent from the field in the first quarter. Miami wasn’t faring much better, shooting 16.7 percent. At the end of the first quarter, the RedHawks held a slim 6-5 lead, extending it to a 20-12 advantage at halftime.
- The turning point came in the third quarter when WKU initiated a 15-0 run, propelling them to an eight-point lead. WKU dominated the remainder of the quarter, outscoring the RedHawks 22-6, finishing with a commanding 51-31 lead.
- WKU’s offensive efficiency was on full display in the third quarter, shooting an impressive 75.0 percent from the field and 77.8 percent from beyond the arc.
- Both teams scored 12 points each in the fourth quarter, securing WKU’s convincing 63-43 win.
Historical Dominance:
- With this victory, WKU improved its all-time record to 7-0 against Miami, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record against the RedHawks in Oxford.
The Lady Toppers will look to build on this strong performance as they continue their season, aiming for further success under the leadership of Coach Greg Collins.
