T.J. Price gets A+ in Hilltoppers return to victors lane
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles were the duel-threat the Lady and Fella Tops faced yesterday as both teams reached the halfway point of their Conference USA season. Michelle Clark-Heard and her 18-3, 7-1 C-USA squad looked to continue their home win streak, but the Lady Eagles outlasted them, winning the game 63-61. Senior leaders Chastity Gooch and Alexis Govan led the way for WKU, but it wasn’t enough:
B+. Alexis Govan was really the leader on the court yesterday for the Lady Tops. Govan had 15 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, but fouled out in the last 30 seconds of the game, which put the Lady Eagles on the free-throw line. The usual double-double performer showed that this team is at its <em>best </em>when she’s doing so, and is a great reminder to all fans that every little stat counts. Still a great effort from Alexis.. G/F. Lady Toppers. ALEXIS GOVAN
Govan’s fellow senior leader in Chastity Gooch had a decent performance for the Lady Toppers as well. Gooch finished the game with 17 points, but only three rebounds. Like Alexis, Chastity is usually a 20 point, 10 rebound performer every game. She has been a little sluggish in the past few matchups, so that might be a reason why the Lady’s have lost two of their last three games – which wasn’t expected AT ALL.. F. Lady Toppers. CHASTITY GOOCH. C+
LADY TOPPERS BENCH. C-. Western Kentucky’s bench contributed some, but it could of been a whole lot better. The bench scored a low 11 points, grabbed an alright seven rebounds, and dished just three assists. Only three bench players scored, with those being Bria Gaines, Ivy Brown, and Tashia Brown. Gaines and Ivy each had five, while Tashia had just a free-throw to her credit. Production from the bench has to improve to help the girls win games.. 11 points. Three scorers
Now over to the Fellas! Ray Harper and his Hilltoppers looked to bounce back after a loss to Louisiana Tech Thursday with a win over the struggling Golden Eagles yesterday in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. WKU did that, defeating So. Miss 73-62 behind an outstanding performance from T.J. Price.
A+. Today’s gameplan – give the ball to <a href=. G. WKU Hilltoppers. T.J. PRICE
GEORGE FANT. B+. Big man <a href=. F. WKU Hilltoppers
TRENCY JACKSON. B. Free throw after free throw after free throw was what <a href=. G. WKU Hilltoppers
How would you have graded the players above? Let me know on Twitter @TopperTime_WKU or @WaveTheRedTowel, or in a comment below. GO TOPS!