It’s one last week of games at E.A. Diddle Arena for WKU senior guard Alexis Mead.

The Lady Toppers wrap up the home schedule facing UTEP at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and New Mexico State at 2 p.m. on Saturday, looking for a chance to lock up at least a top four seed in next month’s Conference USA Tournament – with aspirations on the three seed or perhaps No. 2.

But in the midst of WKU’s late-season surge will come a bit of emotion with Mead’s four-year career winding down. Mead will be one of three seniors honored on Saturday along with graduate guard Destiny Salary and senior forward Mariama Sow.

Mead said she is trying not to think about this being her goodbye to Diddle this week.

“I know it is an exciting day, but it is also winding down,” Mead said. “I try not to think about it too much.”

In an era where the transfer portal has seen players move around – sometimes more than once – Mead’s four-year career at WKU is a rarity. It’s one that WKU coach Greg Collins and his staff doesn’t take for granted.

“It’s special and there is an immense amount of pride – not just for me, but for the staff and my family, the university, the community,” Collins said. “They’ve got to see her grow and develop from a high school student to a young lady that is getting ready to graduate. It’s not happening like it used to, but it still can and it’s still important. I know it is important to Lexi’s family just like it is ours. We are proud of her. As many great moments that have been on the court, there have been equal or more off the court.”

While the week will culminate with the senior day festivities there is still work to do. WKU will face a UTEP team that erased a seven-point, fourth-quarter deficit to take the lead late before WKU scored the final eight points to secure a 65-59 win last month in El Paso.

WKU’s first meeting with New Mexico State wasn’t as productive, with the Aggies rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit for a 64-59 victory. It’s one of only two conference road losses for WKU this season. Road success in conference play has been rare this year with road teams posting a .328 winning percentage in conference play entering last Saturday’s game – the lowest percentage for any conference in the country.

WKU, Middle Tennessee and Liberty are the only teams with a winning road record in conference play. WKU is 5-2 with games remaining at Florida International and Liberty next week.

“Some of it could just be the travel,” Collins said. “It’s Conference USA. It’s almost from coast to coast. The travel is not easy. It’s not easy to go to El Paso. It’s not easy to go to Miami, then Lynchburg (Virginia). It’s not easy to do that and still be able at a high level knowing you need to be able to get the practice, the film study and the rest. That could be a part of it and then I think teams just play well at home.”

WKU will look to continue the home success this weekend. One win guarantees the Lady Toppers a top-four seed in the conference tournament with two wins locking up the three seed.

With so much to play for, Mead said she hopes to see a lot of fans in Diddle this week – adding it’s a fanbase she has really become attached to in her years at WKU.

“I always try to go out and talk to everyone and give back, because they are giving first,” Mead said. “They are supporting us in the first place. They come out when it is snowing, raining, cold outside. We appreciate that so much. If we can get some more fans in here this weekend … that would be a blessing for us. I hope we get a good crowd this week. It will be two fun games, two exciting games. Just come out and have fun with us.”