WKU Women Top Chattanooga 61-50 in Opener
Freshman Jamila Ray led the Hilltoppers with 14 points as WKU opened the 2026-27 season at home.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
WKU women's basketball defeated Chattanooga 61-50 on Wednesday evening in E.A. Diddle Arena to improve to 1-0. Three Hilltoppers scored in double figures, and eight players scored overall.
Why it matters
The win gives the Hilltoppers a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign after holding Chattanooga to two first-quarter points. It also establishes an early baseline for a team that depends on a deep rotation.
Jamila Ray scored a game-high 14 points, Hayven Smith added 13 in her debut, and Josie Gilvin posted 10 points and 10 rebounds. WKU outrebounded Chattanooga 41-37 and led 45-37 entering the fourth quarter.
The players
Jamila Ray
Ray is a freshman guard for WKU who led the team in scoring with 14 points, three rebounds and three steals in the season opener.
Hayven Smith
Smith made her WKU debut in the season opener, scoring 13 points for the Hilltoppers against Chattanooga.
Josie Gilvin
Gilvin recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in WKU's 61-50 win over Chattanooga.
The details
WKU held Chattanooga to two points in the first quarter and led 11-2 entering the second. A 10-2 third-quarter run, with eight of those points coming from the free throw line, pushed the Hilltoppers to a 45-37 lead before they outscored Chattanooga 16-13 in the final period.
Timeline
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2026: WKU defeats Chattanooga 61-50 in its season opener at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026: WKU hosts Christian Brothers at 2:00 p.m.
Season Trajectory
The win adds to WKU's all-time season opener record of 39-15 and its home opener mark of 43-11. Early wins like this one help set the tone for the Hilltoppers' 2026-27 campaign.
WKU's 1-0 start gives the program early momentum heading into its home game against Christian Brothers this Sunday. Fans planning to attend can follow the Hilltoppers' schedule at E.A. Diddle Arena.
The takeaway
Strong defensive starts and balanced scoring from a deep roster are the early signs of a promising WKU season. Watching how the rotation develops over the next few games will show whether this opener was a sign of things to come.
What happens next
WKU women's basketball hosts Christian Brothers on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Further reading
For more college hoops coverage, see the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WNKY News 40 Television.
