CAREER-HIGH FROM GILVIN PROPELS LADY TOPPERS TO A 78-57 WIN

(BOWLING GREEN, Ky) – If you’ve watched Lady Topper Basketball this season, you know that Josie Gilvin can ball.

The Sacred Heart alum posted a career-high of 28 points. Junior guard Josie Gilvin was as efficient as Kobe Bryant in the clutch. She posted a 12/14 night from the field and a three for four night from three point land.

“I just wanted to win,” Gilvin said. “It felt really good to see some of those shots go in.”

On top of a career night for Gilvin, a collection of players stepped up. Junior guard Acacia Hayes charted 20 points on a four for 7 night from the arc. Senior guard Alexis Mead created 15 points to pair with seven assist and a team high seven rebounds.

“We’ve got more left on the table, we’re not close to our peak,” Head Coach Greg Collins said.

They out-rebounded the Owls 36-30 and held Kennesaw State to four made three pointers.

“It feels good to win on the boards,” Acacia Hayes said. “We get fussed at about rebounding … at halftime you’ll hear us ask, ‘are we up on the boards?’ That’s how you know everyone is buying in.”

THE BREAKDOWN

The Lady Toppers came out firing from beyond the arc, with Alexis Mead and Acacia Hayes fueling a swift 6-2 run to kick off the game. The red and white kept the pressure on, surging ahead 13-4 after a smooth mid-range jumper from Gilvin, prompting Kennesaw State to call a timeout with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter.

By the end of the period, Acacia Hayes had taken charge, leading the Lady Toppers with 13 points. The standout guard was perfect, going 3-for-3 from deep and 5-for-5 from the field. WKU closed out the quarter on a dominant 12-3 run, extending their lead to 28-16.

At the 4:38 mark in the second quarter, the Lady Toppers exploded to a 39-22 lead. Their tenacious defense sparked 4 turnovers in the period, while a timely three from Jose Gilvin at the 5:00 minute mark added to the momentum. WKU closed the half with a 6-2 run, capped off by Alexis Mead’s clutch putback floater in the final seconds.

“I feel like this one of those really fun games,” Acacia Hayes said. 

As the buzzer sounded, Coach Collins’ squad held a commanding 47-28 lead. Three Lady Toppers reached double-digit scoring—Hayes (17), Gilvin (16), and Mead (12). WKU tallied 10 assists and committed just three turnovers, while their relentless defense forced 11 turnovers from Kennesaw State.

WKU held their advantage throughout the third quarter. This matchup was about stacking runs, and the Lady Toppers created another 7-2 run in the middle of the quarter to extend their lead to 57-34. Gilvin charted 21 points at the end of the frame, followed by Mead with 20. 

In the fourth, WKU maintained their large lead. On Mead’s seventh assist of the matchup, Gilvin scored, marking the 28 point career high for the Sacred Heart alumn. 

The Lady Toppers will play Jacksonville State this Saturday, February 8th in Diddle Arena at 2 p.m. CT.