WKU Weekly Wrap-up: 2/17/14-2/23/14
Ian Maule – College Heights Herald
I’ll admit it – I dropped the ball again.
Last week was a busy week in the real world, but no time for excuses.
And, while last week was a dud in some aspects (losing to South Al? I still don’t get it), this week was a much much MUCH better week for the Hilltoppers (which includes a 9-0 record between baseball, softball and both basketball squads from Friday-Sunday).
Men’s Basketball: WKU 72 – ULM 63
T.J. Price sat out a majority of the game, but that didn’t slow the Tops’ roll, and huge contributions from Trency Jackson (25 points) and Chris Harrison-Docks (15) didn’t hurt either. And, while the final was only a nine point difference, WKU was in control from opening tip to final buzzer. Daouda Soumaoro even got a start, and the Tops seem to be right back on track. Ahead this week is a Lone Star State swing.
Women’s Basketball: WKU 92 – ULM 63
The Lady Tops continue their dominance, and follow a disappointing three-game losing streak with one of the most impressive three-game winning streaks any Tops squad has seen in quite some time. The ladies spread the wealth quite a bit, as Chastity Gooch (20 points), Bianca McGee (17), Micah Jones (11), Kendall Noble (11) and Bria Ganes (10) all notched double digits, and only three ladies who played didn’t score. WKU also shot over 50% from all aspects of the floor, as well as grabbing nearly 40 rebounds. Let’s hope this show continues in Texas this week.
Baseball: WKU 3 – Belmont 7; WKU 8 – UNC-Ashville 5, WKU 6 – UNCA 4, WKU 13- UNCA 2
The Tops’ baseball weak started on a bad note, as the bullpen gave up four runs in the 8th inning to fall to the Bruins for the 6th straight time in Nashville, but the ship was righted at the Nick when the Bulldogs came to town, as WKU has their first sweep of the young season. The first two games saw the Tops pull away at the end, the final game of the set saw the Tops have complete control for the final 5 innings. The Tops head back to Nashville to take on Vandy mid-week before heading to North Carolina for matchups with East Carolina, Ohio State and Pittsburgh.
Softball: WKU 8 – Canisius 1, WKU 7 – Miami (OH) 0, WKU 2 – Canisius 1, WKU 5 – Bradley 1
The Lady Toppers softball team hosted the Hilltopper Spring Fling tournament over at the softball complex, and swept the competition away. And, while most of the performances were dominant (see the two 7-run victories), the perfect Hilltopper weekend was almost for naught, as it took two unearned runs in the bottom of the 7th for WKU to come back and beat Canisius for the second time in the tournament. Undefeated freshman pitcher Hannah Miniard threw a one-hitter against the Red Hawks.
So, as you can see, a pretty darn successful stretch of athletics for dear old Western this past week. This week will see more basketball, as well as a busy week of softball (another tournament here in Bowling Green) and baseball, and hopefully, everyone can continue the good work.
Stand up and cheers.