Western Kentucky’s women’s basketball bounced back with an 80-70 win against Nevada to close out the Maui Classic on Friday night in Maui, Hawaii.

The Lady Toppers (9-2) jumped out to an early lead, dominating the first quarter against the Wolf Pack (5-8). Nevada made a comeback push in the fourth quarter, but WKU was able to hold them off for the win.

WKU scored the first four points of the game, coming from Zsophia Telegdy and Destiny Salary layups. Nevada scored its first points on a pair of free throws at the 8:42 mark of the first quarter. From there, WKU went on a 21-4 run, ending the quarter on a 15-0 run to take a 25-6 lead into the second quarter.

The two teams traded baskets to start the second period, but WKU rattled off another large run – this time a 11-0 scoring advantage to go ahead by 27 with 5:36 left in the quarter. Nevada chipped away at that lead, outscoring WKU 13-5 the rest of the quarter. Eleven of Nevada’s points in the quarter were second-chance opportunities resulting from 13 offensive rebounds. WKU went into halftime up 43-24.

Acacia Hayes opened the second half with a three from the wing at the 8:49 mark of the third quarter. The Wolf Pack responded with a 7-0 run to cut WKU’s lead down to 15. WKU punched back with a 7-0 run of their own. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the quarter and the Lady Toppers took a 60-41 lead into the fourth quarter.

After a pair of free throws from Hayes to start the fourth quarter, Nevada used a 20-3 run to cut WKU’s lead down to just four with 4:39 left to play. A layup from Telegdy and a 3-pointer from Alexis Mead stopped the run for the Lady Toppers and set off a 13-7 scoring advantage to close out the game for WKU.

Salary led WKU in scoring for the second straight game with her second consecutive 20-point performance. She finished with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists. It was her sixth career game with 20 points or more.

Hayes scored in double digits for the first time since Nov. 24 against North Dakota with 19 points along with five steals and four assists.

Josie Gilvin added 11 points for her fifth double-digit game of the season.

Despite Nevada’s late push, WKU was able to maintain a lead the entire game. WKU improves to 95-7 under head coach Greg Collins when leading with five minutes left. WKU is 9-2 through the first 11 games of the season for the first time since 2015-16. The Lady Toppers improve to 2-0 all-time against Nevada.

The Lady Toppers will return to action on Dec. 28 at Kentucky.