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WESTERN KENTUCKY (6-0) vs. WICHITA STATE (2-6) - D-1 Game Only
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena
TV: ESPN+ with Shane Dennis and Tracy Anderson
Radio: GoShockers.com/Listen with Pat Strathman
SCOUTING THE TOPPERS
Western Kentucky enters the matchup undefeated, starting the season 6-0 against a SOS ranked at 249.
WKU was picked fourth of 10 teams in the Conference USA Preseason Poll.
Western Kentucky's Alexis Mead was selected to the C-USA Preseason Team and leads the Toppers with 14 points per game. She has finished in double figures in each of the last five games and has scored over 1,000 career points. Mead ranks 67th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.864). The Toppers' Acacia Hayes leads the C-USA in field goal percentage (.615) but did not play in the most recent game. Zsofia Telegdy is the team's leading rebounder, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game with double digit rebounds in two of the last three games.
Western Kentucky comes in averaging 76 points in their 6 D-1 games behind a balanced scoring attack. WKU plays a high pressure style of defense and have turned their D-1 opponents and average of 23.3 times per game including 14.3 steals per game.
The Lady Shocks picked up their 3rd D-1 win the season hand Western Kentucky their first loss of the season 64-59 holding WKU 17 points below their season scoring averaged. (20 points if you don't count the banked in 3 pointer).
I think the Lady Shocks have figured out they are going to have to hang their hats primarily on defense and rebounding to be successful. WKU shot 45.7% from the field incuding 34.6% on 3-pointers. Against the Shocks WKU onl managed 28.4% overall and 25.0% on 3-pointers (which included one banked in 3). WKU missed more shots (53) from the field then the took (51) in their previous game, a 79-60 win over Miami (OH). The Shocks hit 40.0% from the field including 33.3% on 3 pointers, both above their season averages.
The Shocks outrebounded WKU 52-42.
.
The Shocks did have mixed success dealing with WKU's pressure defenses turning the ball of 20 times which was a little better than most WKU foes have done so far but only 7 of these turnovers were WKU steals which is a season low for WKU and about half of what they were averaging coming into the game.
WKU made 10-12 free throws but the Shocks could only managed 6-11 as their yo-yo free throw shooting for the season continues.
All-in-all though this was a good win for the Shocks and shows continued improvement.
Salese Blow led the Shocks with 13 points but need 16 FG and 2 FT attempts to get that. She did makes some key baskets at a few critical points in the game. She added 6 rebounds, 3 assists and had only 1 turnover.
Jayla Murray scored 12 points on 6-11 shooting but only grabbed 3 rebounds. She did have 3 turnovers but she also had 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.
Taylor Jameson scored 10 points including 3 of 5 3-pointers and only had 2 turnovers as the primary ball handler against WKU's pressing and trapping defenses.
The player of the game for the Shocks was probably Bre'Yon White who had her best game as a Shocker with 12 points on 6-8 shooting while grabbing a game high 11 rebounds. Bre also had 2 assists, one off of an offensive rebound in the 4th quarter that she kicked out to Salese for one of the Shocks 6 made 3-pointers to extend the Shockers lead to 7 after WKU had cut the Shocker lead to 4.
The Shocks took control of the game in the 2nd quarter holding WKU to only 4 points as they finished the final 8 minutes of the half on a 14-2 run to take a 28-19 lead into the locker room. However, WKU did pull to within 2 points at 52-50 on a banked-in 3-pointer with 5 minutes to play. An offensive rebound and put back by Bre White made 54-50 with WKU answering to make it 54-52. Bre responded with a nice pullup jumper in the lane to make it 56-52. Jayla Murray scored after an offensivee rebound to make it 58-52. With agout 1:30 to play KP Parr jumped the passing lane for steal that she took all the way for a layup to give the Shocks a 60-52 lead and restore a little breathing room as the Shock held on for the win.
Aicha Ndour started but only played 4 minutes and Ella Anciaux only played 11 minutes. But this game, despite the relatively low score, was probably a little bit too hectic for them (although Ella did grab 7 rebounds scored 6 points in her 11 minutes). But the Shocks best success game with playing a smaller lineup.
There was some bad news at the end of the game. With about 10 seconds to play Taylor Jameson rolled her ankle and had to be carried off the court. Bre White literally picked Taylor up and carried her off the court. That had no impact on this game but will be a huge loss for the Shocks if Taylor is out for an extended period of time.
Interestingly, the Shocks only suited up 10 of their 15 players for this game with all 10 playing. Jasmine Peaks, Kyleigh Ortiz, Maimouna Sissoko, Carla
Budane and Fiona Diamonde were on the bench but not suited up. Kyleigh I think is injured. Fiona hasn't played this year so may be redshirring plus she is wearing a knee brace on her right knee. Not sure what is going on with Jasmine. Maimouna has played sparingly and I am not sure Carla has played at all.
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. CT
Wichita, Kan. | Charles Koch Arena
TV: ESPN+ with Shane Dennis and Tracy Anderson
Radio: GoShockers.com/Listen with Pat Strathman
SCOUTING THE TOPPERS
Western Kentucky enters the matchup undefeated, starting the season 6-0 against a SOS ranked at 249.
WKU was picked fourth of 10 teams in the Conference USA Preseason Poll.
Western Kentucky's Alexis Mead was selected to the C-USA Preseason Team and leads the Toppers with 14 points per game. She has finished in double figures in each of the last five games and has scored over 1,000 career points. Mead ranks 67th in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.864). The Toppers' Acacia Hayes leads the C-USA in field goal percentage (.615) but did not play in the most recent game. Zsofia Telegdy is the team's leading rebounder, averaging 6.1 rebounds per game with double digit rebounds in two of the last three games.
Western Kentucky comes in averaging 76 points in their 6 D-1 games behind a balanced scoring attack. WKU plays a high pressure style of defense and have turned their D-1 opponents and average of 23.3 times per game including 14.3 steals per game.
The Lady Shocks picked up their 3rd D-1 win the season hand Western Kentucky their first loss of the season 64-59 holding WKU 17 points below their season scoring averaged. (20 points if you don't count the banked in 3 pointer).
I think the Lady Shocks have figured out they are going to have to hang their hats primarily on defense and rebounding to be successful. WKU shot 45.7% from the field incuding 34.6% on 3-pointers. Against the Shocks WKU onl managed 28.4% overall and 25.0% on 3-pointers (which included one banked in 3). WKU missed more shots (53) from the field then the took (51) in their previous game, a 79-60 win over Miami (OH). The Shocks hit 40.0% from the field including 33.3% on 3 pointers, both above their season averages.
The Shocks outrebounded WKU 52-42.
.
The Shocks did have mixed success dealing with WKU's pressure defenses turning the ball of 20 times which was a little better than most WKU foes have done so far but only 7 of these turnovers were WKU steals which is a season low for WKU and about half of what they were averaging coming into the game.
WKU made 10-12 free throws but the Shocks could only managed 6-11 as their yo-yo free throw shooting for the season continues.
All-in-all though this was a good win for the Shocks and shows continued improvement.
Salese Blow led the Shocks with 13 points but need 16 FG and 2 FT attempts to get that. She did makes some key baskets at a few critical points in the game. She added 6 rebounds, 3 assists and had only 1 turnover.
Jayla Murray scored 12 points on 6-11 shooting but only grabbed 3 rebounds. She did have 3 turnovers but she also had 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal.
Taylor Jameson scored 10 points including 3 of 5 3-pointers and only had 2 turnovers as the primary ball handler against WKU's pressing and trapping defenses.
The player of the game for the Shocks was probably Bre'Yon White who had her best game as a Shocker with 12 points on 6-8 shooting while grabbing a game high 11 rebounds. Bre also had 2 assists, one off of an offensive rebound in the 4th quarter that she kicked out to Salese for one of the Shocks 6 made 3-pointers to extend the Shockers lead to 7 after WKU had cut the Shocker lead to 4.
The Shocks took control of the game in the 2nd quarter holding WKU to only 4 points as they finished the final 8 minutes of the half on a 14-2 run to take a 28-19 lead into the locker room. However, WKU did pull to within 2 points at 52-50 on a banked-in 3-pointer with 5 minutes to play. An offensive rebound and put back by Bre White made 54-50 with WKU answering to make it 54-52. Bre responded with a nice pullup jumper in the lane to make it 56-52. Jayla Murray scored after an offensivee rebound to make it 58-52. With agout 1:30 to play KP Parr jumped the passing lane for steal that she took all the way for a layup to give the Shocks a 60-52 lead and restore a little breathing room as the Shock held on for the win.
Aicha Ndour started but only played 4 minutes and Ella Anciaux only played 11 minutes. But this game, despite the relatively low score, was probably a little bit too hectic for them (although Ella did grab 7 rebounds scored 6 points in her 11 minutes). But the Shocks best success game with playing a smaller lineup.
There was some bad news at the end of the game. With about 10 seconds to play Taylor Jameson rolled her ankle and had to be carried off the court. Bre White literally picked Taylor up and carried her off the court. That had no impact on this game but will be a huge loss for the Shocks if Taylor is out for an extended period of time.
Interestingly, the Shocks only suited up 10 of their 15 players for this game with all 10 playing. Jasmine Peaks, Kyleigh Ortiz, Maimouna Sissoko, Carla
Budane and Fiona Diamonde were on the bench but not suited up. Kyleigh I think is injured. Fiona hasn't played this year so may be redshirring plus she is wearing a knee brace on her right knee. Not sure what is going on with Jasmine. Maimouna has played sparingly and I am not sure Carla has played at all.
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