HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — Two Conference USA women’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Thursday when the Liberty Lady Flames visit the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Liberty (8-8 overall) enters at .500 after a 69-76 road loss at Delaware on Saturday. Western Kentucky (5-12) looks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 65-79 defeat at Louisiana Tech.

The matchup features a contrast in recent performance. The Lady Flames have split their last six games, showing offensive bursts in wins over UTEP and New Mexico State earlier this month. Guard JaKayla Thompson, coming off a 17-point effort in 33 minutes against Delaware, will be a key facilitator. Her season has been variable, including a six-assist game in the rout of UTEP.

The Lady Toppers have struggled, winning just once in their last eight contests. Their lone victory in that stretch was a 68-59 home win over UTEP on Jan. 10, fueled by 18 points from guard Salma Khedr. Khedr remains a focal point, averaging 16.5 points over her last two games, but Western Kentucky has been hampered by offensive inconsistency, scoring 50 points or fewer in three of its last five outings.

Liberty’s offense runs through multiple options. Alongside Thompson, Emmy Stout (21 points vs. Delaware) and Avery Mills (17 points vs. Delaware) provide scoring punch. Western Kentucky will counter with Khedr and guard Trinity Rowe, who dished six assists in the loss to Louisiana Tech.

The game is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs this season; they are scheduled to play again in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Feb. 28.

For Liberty, a win would build confidence before a quick turnaround at Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Western Kentucky aims to defend its home court before hosting Delaware on Saturday. Tipoff is set for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Hadley.