HOUSTON— The WKU women’s basketball team used a dominant second half to go 11-4 this season and 4-0 in the American Conference game. The Lady Toppers have won six games in a row and 10 of their last 11.

Meral Abdelgawad had his fourth 30-point game of the season with 33 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals. She ties with Tashia Brown for the fourth most 30-point games by a Lady Topper in a single season, behind Crystal Kelly (7 and 5) and Brenda Chapman (5).

Mya Meredith continued his impressive freshman season with his third 20-point performance in the last four games with 20 points on the night. Meredith also tied her career high with eight rebounds and set a new career high with five steals and two blocks.

Hope Sivori added seven points while Macey Blevins and Therese Faustino each had five. Alexis Mead had four points, four rebounds and four assists. Jaylin Foster also had four points and four rebounds.

Foster scored the game’s first points on a layup from a pass from Meredith. It was the eighth time this season that the WKU had scored first in a game and the Lady Toppers are 7-1 this season.

Rice used an 8-0 run to take the lead. Abdelgawad took the chance and one to end the run and get WKU back within three. The two teams traded baskets, but an 8-0 run from WKU put the Lady Toppers back on top. The run was powered by three from Meredith and Abdelgawad plus a lay-up from Abdelgawad. Rice made a 3-pointer with less than a minute left in the period to tie the game, 15-15.

The Owls scored the first six points of the second quarter to take a 21-15 lead, but WKU responded with a 10-0 run to regain the lead. Rice outscored the WKU 8-7 throughout the quarter, but the Lady Toppers took a 32-29 halftime lead.

WKU beat Rice 21-19 in the third with 14 of those 21 points coming from Abdelgawad. The Lady Toppers closed out the fourth quarter, dominating the Owls 25-13. Overall, WKU beat Rice 46-22 in the second half.

WKU improves to 48-13 when keeping opponents below 70 points and on the other hand improves to 41-11 when scoring over 70 points under head coach Greg Collins. The Lady Toppers have held three consecutive opponents under 70 and eight times in total this season.

The Lady Toppers will continue their Texas road trip against North Texas on Saturday in Denton. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.

How to track 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.

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