Lady Topper Hoops: Defense Shines, Brown Reaches 1,500 Career Points in 75–49 Win

Western Kentucky women’s basketball (5–3 overall) hadn’t played in ten days after taking off time for finals. They looked sharper than ever Sunday, heading straight up to Carbondale and dispatched the Southern Illinois Salukis, 75–49.

Tashia Brown and Ivy Brown poured in 20 points each on the afternoon in what’s becoming a routine effort from the two Lady Topper legends. Ivy nailed four-straight threes and scored 16 total points in the third quarter, tying a school record for points in a single frame. Carrying a marginal lead into the second half, Ivy and the Tops outscored SIU 24–8 in the third, blowing open the game and never looking back.

WKU dominated SIU, shooting more shots at a higher percentage and outrebounding Southern Illinois. However, WKU lost the turnover battle for the first time all year and had no player with more than two assists on the afternoon.

Two Lady Toppers found ways to contribute despite making zero field goals combined. Whitney Creech made all of her eight free throws on the night, while Dee Givens did not score, but led the team with nine rebounds.

News and Notes

• Senior Tashia Brown scored her 1,500th career point against SIU, and now has 1,504 in her career on The Hill. Depending on production, Tashia could finish well inside the top ten in her career
• Senior Ivy Brown is nearly averaging a double-double on the season (15 points per game, nine rebounds per game) and is quickly rising as one of the most versatile Lady Toppers of all-time, possibly finishing in the top ten in career points, rebounds, steals, blocks, and free throw percentage at year’s end.
• Freshman Raneem Elgedawy continues to impress as a youngster, averaging over eight points and six boards a contest.
• With a stifling effort against SIU, The Lady Topper defense finally dipped below 70 points allowed per game. In 2016–17, WKU allowed less than 62 ppg, winning by over 13 ppg.

Next Time Out

The Lady Toppers return to action Tuesday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. at home against Mississippi Valley State (0–6). MVSU has not come within 15 points of a win so far in the regular season. Tuesday’s game is the second of four games in eight days for the Lady Tops.