The 100 Miles of Hate rivalry between MTSU and Western Kentucky University is taking the hardwood for the first time in 2026 with a special matchup. Conference USA scheduled for both the men’s and women’s teams to play on Jan. 31 at the Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  

With a full day of basketball set, College Heights Herald reporter Adrianna Lein sat down to give insights into the Lady Toppers basketball program.  

Western Kentucky women’s basketball (5-14, 1-7 CUSA) has struggled with their worst losses being to Longwood University and No. 17 Vanderbilt by 38 points in both contests. The Lady Toppers are in a four-game losing streak with their last win on Jan. 10 against the University of Texas at El Paso.  

“I really can’t just pinpoint one issue that they’re having,” Lein said. “It’s honestly a per game basis, one game they can’t rebound. The other game they can’t handle the ball.”  

Last time out against the University of Delaware, WKU had a plethora of issues with starting point guard Trinity Rowe being out, and fellow starters Torri James and Salma Khedr joining Rowe with injuries.   

HEAD COACH: Greg Collins 

The eighth-year head coach entered the season needing to rebuild a starting lineup that featured one returner.  

Nearly two-thirds of the way through the season, Collins is still experimenting with his rotation with 11 players getting double digit minutes. Six of those players being juniors or above.  

“The upper classman who have been on the team for more than just the season, did not see a lot of time before this season,” Lein said. “…They have experience, but they honestly really don’t if you kind of think about it.” 

Trying to find the winning way this season led Collins to play anybody who has the hot hand and sit whoever is cold on any given night.  

“He will have his starting five and then some games, by halfway through the first quarter, the majority of them are out,” Lein said. “…I think that’s also been part of the reason why they’ve had struggles playing consistently is they go to their bench a lot, but it’s the ways in which they go to their bench.” 

PLAYERS TO WATCH   

“There is a big three of WKU women’s basketball,” Lein said.  

The big three consists of Rowe, James and forward Zsofia Telegdy. 

Rowe, the 2024 Kentucky Miss Basketball winner, transferred to WKU after her freshman season at the University of Southern Mississippi. The sophomore guard averages 32.5 minutes per game but has only played 11 games for the Lady Toppers.  

Despite missing games, Rowe is still the Lady Toppers primary ball handler and three-point threat, shooting nearly 40% from deep on the year.  

“There is a certain level of confidence that she brings to the team, but also once the team sees her start hitting some threes then they get energized and they get motivated by it,” Lein said.  

James saw her minutes and production increase in her second season of college basketball. The Clarksville, Tennessee native leads WKU in minutes played and in offensive rebounding.  

In the Lady ‘Tops last game against Delaware, James saw 11 minutes before leaving the game.  

James is probably the most athletic player for the Lady Toppers, the team’s tip off player while grabbing the most offensive boards which WKU struggles with, Lein said.  

Telegdy is the only returning starter for Western Kentucky and the first option for the Lady Toppers. The senior forward just recently fell to second on the scoring chart for WKU, averaging 9.5 points per game.  

As one of WKU’s top scoring options, Telegdy can play anywhere on the court, leading the team in made three pointers, while still playing a traditional forward spot, Lein said.  

The multi-level scoring threat will likely force MTSU’s Blair Baugus and Macie Phifer to guard Telegdy at all three levels  

The Lady Raiders and Lady Toppers game was rescheduled to 12 p.m. CDT, becoming the first game of the 100 Miles of Hate doubleheader on Jan. 31 

To contact the sports editor, email [email protected].

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