Preview: Delaware Blue Hens at Western Kentucky Lady Toppers HADLEY, Ky. (Interstat) — Two Conference USA women’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet when the Delaware Blue Hens visit the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at E.A. Diddle Arena. Delaware (8-10 overall) enters on a high note after a 61-48 road victory at Middle Tennessee on Thursday. Western Kentucky (5-13) looks to rebound from a narrow 55-53 home loss to Liberty on the same night. Despite the Lady Toppers’ record, statistical models favor the home team. National Statistical’s ELO system projects Western Kentucky with a 65.1% probability to win. The matchup features two of the conference’s top scorers. Delaware is led by guard Ande’a Cherisier, who is averaging 15.1 points over her last seven games. She scored 18 points in Thursday’s win and had 19 in a victory over Liberty on Jan. 17. Western Kentucky will counter with guard Salma Khedr, who has been a consistent offensive force. Khedr has scored 18 points in three of her last five outings, including in the close loss to Liberty. The Blue Hens have shown recent improvement, winning two of their last three contests after a five-game skid. Their defense was key against Middle Tennessee, holding the opponent to 48 points. The Lady Toppers’ season has been defined by near misses, with four of their 13 losses coming by five points or fewer, including the two-point defeat to Liberty. This game is the first of a regular-season home-and-home series. The teams will meet again in Newark, Delaware, on Thursday, Feb. 26. Saturday’s contest tips off a critical stretch for both squads as they approach the midpoint of the conference schedule. Delaware will look to climb above .500 in CUSA play, while Western Kentucky aims to turn close losses into victories and jump-start its season in front of its home crowd.