Blue Raiders Fall to Lady Toppers in Top’r Treat Exhibition

COLUMBIA, Ky.- Women's basketball fell 52-41 in the Top'r Treat Classic exhibition against Western Kentucky University at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Jarie Thomas led the offense with six points and one block. Natalie Gentry had a team-high seven rebounds while Grace Brewer contributed three assists.

Lindsey Wilson scored their first points from Claire Fleming at the free throw line at 4:12 to end a 5-0 Western Kentucky run, and cut the deficit to 5-2. The Blue Raiders answered with a 6-2 run of their own that started at 4:12 and ended at 1:09, to cut the Lady Topper lead to 7-6. With 0:03 left on the clock, Fleming was sent back to the free throw line for a chance to take a one-point lead to end the quarter, but missed both, for the Blue Raiders to trail 7-6 at the end of the first.

Western Kentucky opened the second quarter with a three, but was quickly answered by Taylor Guess with a layup at 8:04 to trail 10-8. The Lady Toppers went on a 6-0 run that lasted from 8:08 to 3:07, until Emma Barnett connected on a free throw, cutting the lead to 16-9. The Blue Raiders closed out the quarter on a 5-2 run to trail 18-14 headed into the half.

Emily Cox ended Western Kentucky's 9-0 run to start the second half with a layup at 5:42 for a 27-16 score. Lindsey Wilson closed out the quarter on a 7-2 run to cut the deficit heading into the fourth quarter to 38-27.

With 8:32 to play in the fourth, Madison Lawson found the bottom of the net on a three-pointer on an assist by Guess to cut the deficit to double digits for a 40-32 deficit. Lady Topper Tia Shelling increased the lead back to double digits at 8:00, but was cut back to single digits at 7:07 by Thomas after an intentional foul put her at the line to decrease the lead to 40-32. Western ended the game on an 11-9 run, with the Blue Raiders falling short 52-41.

The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Thursday in Williamsburg, Ky. as they face (RV) Milligan (Tenn.) at 6 P.M. CT in the Patriots Classic.

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