Former Western Kentucky Lady Toppers standout Crystal Kelly is recognized during the Louisiana-Lafayette game, Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at E.A. Diddle Arena. (Miranda Pederson/Daily News)

In a spontaneous moment, the Western Kentucky women’s basketball team received some brief words of encouragement before Wednesday’s home finale from one of the program’s all-time greatest.

Crystal Kelly, the Lady Toppers’ leading career scorer and rebounder, attended WKU’s 80-71 win over Louisiana-Lafayette at E.A. Diddle Arena and talked to the team on the court just before tipoff.

It was the first WKU game Kelly, who graduated in 2008, has attended since coach Michelle Clark-Heard took over last season. Heard called Kelly out of the stands before the game to address the team in a huddle.

“She told them that she was really excited to have a chance to be back, that she had heard a lot about how well they were playing and was excited to see them play – that Western is a special place to her,” Heard said. “It was pretty awesome to see the kids’ faces. … I told her I was really thankful and happy, because she’s one of the most decorated players who ever played here. For her to come to our last game means a lot.”

Kelly scored 2,803 points during her career at WKU – the highest total for the men’s or women’s program. She’s one of three Lady Toppers to have their jersey retired by the school and was the only player to receive the honor while still playing in 2008.

The Louisville native was drafted in the third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Houston Comets. She moved several times in three years in the league and also played overseas during a career that included stops in Italy and Brazil.

Kelly just finished her second season as an assistant coach at Bellarmine University. Her schedule has prevented her from seeing Heard’s team in action until Wednesday, but she left impressed with the direction of the program.

Kelly was recognized by WKU during the final media timeout of the first half to a standing ovation.

“Michelle is doing such a great job,” Kelly said. “She seems like she’s such a great motivator. They’ve had adversity with one of their leading scorers (junior guard Alexis Govan) going down, and it seems like she’s gotten the team to rally together. That’s tough to do, and that’s something I’m learning on the other side now while coaching. It’s something special she’s doing. 

“She’s brought the program to a great place, and she’s a great person, which helps players want to work for you. I’m so glad she’s here.”

Senior exit on high note

WKU had no seniors to honor last season, but it provided this year’s class — guards Chaney Means and Bianca McGee — with a pregame ceremony and a convincing win.

The game will be their last at Diddle Arena unless the Lady Tops host in the Women’s NIT like they did last year.

McGee, who transferred to WKU before her junior season, scored 14 points in 28 minutes.

“She’s taught us how to win,” redshirt freshman guard Kendall Noble said. “Bianca’s a winner. She’s always worked hard. She works hard every single day. She pushes everyone. She’s a leader on the court and off the court. She brought everyone together.”

Means played 16 minutes and tallied three points and a rebound.

The four-year veteran played her first two seasons under the previous coaching staff before experiencing a turnaround in her final two years.

“Chaney’s been a huge, huge factor to this team,” junior forward Chastity Gooch said. “She’s been through a lot for this team. She went through the two years to a big turnaround. This means a lot to Chaney. I want this for her.”

Lady Tops eyeing No. 2 seed

WKU lost its opportunity for the top seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday, as Arkansas State (13-4 in Sun Belt Conference) clinched the No. 1 spot with a win over Louisiana-Monroe.

The Lady Tops (12-5) are in the driver’s seat for the No. 2 seed and would secure that position with a win Saturday at Georgia State. They have a one-game lead over Arkansas-Little Rock and Texas State, who both won Wednesday.

If WKU loses Saturday, it would need UALR and Texas State to both lose to clinch the two seed outright. If either of those teams wins, the scenario will go to tie-breaking procedures.

The Lady Tops don’t hold the two-team tiebreaker on either UALR or Texas State. A three-team tiebreaker would depend on who finishes behind the teams in the standings.

Eight of the top 10 teams advance to this year’s conference tournament, which begins March 12 in New Orleans. South Alabama and Texas Arlington are the teams that will not move on.

NOTES — The Lady Tops won 11 games at home this season after winning 10 last year in Heard’s first season. WKU won 15 combined home games in the two seasons before her arrival. … WKU has won six straight against league competition for the first time since the 2007-08 season. … Wednesday’s announced attendance was 1,322. The program averaged 1,586 fans this year, up from 1,247 in 2012-13 and 1,152 in 2011-12.

— Follow WKU Lady Toppers reporter Zach Greenwell on Twitter at twitter.com/zach_greenwell or visit bgdailynews.com.

The Lady Tops won 11 games at home this season after winning 10 last year in Heard’s first season. WKU won 15 combined home games in the two seasons before her arrival. … WKU has won six straight against league competition for the first time since the 2007-08 season. … Wednesday’s announced attendance was 1,322. The program averaged 1,586 fans this year, up from 1,247 in 2012-13 and 1,152 in 2011-12.