Game Info
WKU (10-4, 3-0 C-USA) at Rice (5-4, 0-1 C-USA)
Thursday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m.
Houston, Texas | Tudor Fieldhouse
Watch (CUSA.tv) | Listen (ESPN 102.7) | Live Stats
Game Notes
About the Lady Toppers
- WKU is off to a 3-0 start in C-USA play after a 63-51 win at FIU in the second week of league play. The Lady Toppers have won five straight games and have won nine of their last 10 games.
- Against the Owls, Mya Meredith and Meral Abdelgawad led the way with 21 points each. Meredith also tied career highs in rebounds (8) and steals (4). She was awarded C-USA Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week.
- Abdelgawad has been on a roll offensively, notching three 30-point performances this season. Her three 30-point games are tied for the fifth most by a Lady Topper in a single season, behind Crystal Kelly (7 and 5), Brenda Chapman (5), and Tashia Brown (4).
- WKU's defensive pressure has shown up statistically. The Lady Toppers' 22.07 forced turnovers per game is the 19th most in the nation and their 11.2 steals per game is 25th nationally.
- On the offensive side, WKU has dished out 217 assists on the season which leads C-USA and is 54th nationally. The Lady Toppers' 8.1 made 3-pointers per game is the second most in the league and 42nd in the NCAA. WKU is averaging 72.5 points per game, which is the third highest rate in the conference.
- Abdelgawad is WKU's leading scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game, which is second in C-USA. Her 273 total points on the season leads the conference and 19th in the country. Abdelgawad is also leading the Lady Toppers on the glass, pulling down 8.4 boards per game. She also has the second most steals in the league with 37.
- WKU has five true freshmen on the roster and the rookies have made an impact. The freshmen are scoring 55.3 percent of WKU's points through 14 games. Meredith is leading the way, averaging 13.2 points per game and Alexis Mead is behind her with an 10.6 points per game average.
- Abdelgawad is the lone senior and upperclassman for WKU. The Lady Toppers are the only team in Conference USA with only one upperclassman. All other teams have at least four.
- The 2021-22 season is the 60th for WKU women's basketball.
Series History vs. Rice
- WKU and Rice have played nine times in series history. The Owls lead the series, 6-3.
- The series has been played in Houston six total times out of nine. The Lady Toppers have made the trip to Houston four of the last five seasons.
- Last season, the two teams played a pair of close contests in Houston. The Owls won the first matchup 64-55 and the second 77-74.
Rice Notes
- The Owls have played only one conference game this season, dropping an 87-63 decision to Middle Tennessee. Rice's contests against North Texas and UAB were postponed.
- Ashlee Austin is leading the Owls in scoring, putting up 17.1 points per game. Haylee Swayze is second on the team, scoring 11.7 points per game.
- Malia Fisher is the team's leading rebounder, pulling down 9.0 boards per game.
Up Next
- WKU will play part two of the Texas road trip on Saturday at North Texas. That game is slated for a 2 p.m. start.
How to Follow the Lady Toppers: For complete information on WKU Lady Topper Basketball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @LadyTopperHoops on Twitter, @LadyTopperHoops on Instagram and on Facebook at facebook.com/WKUWomensBasketball.
