It turned out Kayla Smith returned at just the right time Thursday night for Western Kentucky.
The freshman guard/forward posted 10 points and was one of just two double-digit scorers for the Lady Toppers in a 52-49 win against Rice at E.A. Diddle Arena.
Smith had missed WKU’s last game, an 81-62 win at Florida Atlantic on Saturday, due to a lingering illness.
Coach Michelle Clark-Heard eased the 5-foot-11 Fayetteville, Ga., native back into practice this week and Smith responded Thursday by helping the Lady Toppers (13-2, 4-0 Conference USA) to a tight victory.
“She made some big plays for us… and did a lot of good things,” Heard said.