By Kevin Albarez, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications; featured photo by Darrell James
RUSTON — Paris Bradley scored 26 of her game-high 29 points in the second half, but Louisiana Tech would fall 78-73 to WKU on Senior Day inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday.
Louisiana Tech (13-13, 6-9 CUSA) gave up six points to WKU (19-7, 10-4) early on fastbreaks but quickly settled in. Bradley’s only points of the first half came on a three-ball to put the Lady Techsters up 11-6 heading into the media timeout. The two teams would finish the first quarter even with a majority of Tech’s points coming from free throws.
Jordan Marshall made it 23-16 to start the second with a putback layup 20 seconds in. The Lady Toppers’ Alexis Mead accounted for nine of the visitor’s 11 points in the second with three triples to pull within one at 28-27. LA Tech used a 6-0 run to close the half and take a 34-27 advantage into the locker room.
Bradley found her groove towards the end of the third. After WKU pulled within one, the freshman hit her third 3-pointer to put Tech back up by four with a minute and a half to go in the third. Bradley would get through the Lady Topper defense twice for layups, but WKU would hit one with three seconds remaining to cut the Techster lead to 49-47.
The 5-9 guard continued to shine in the fourth with 16 points in the stanza. A layup by Bradley with 3:46 to go put LA Tech up 65-59. However, WKU used a 15-3 run over the next two minutes to take the lead and would hold on the rest of the game.
Louisiana Tech finished 23-58 from the field, 7-22 from behind the arc, and 20-24 from the charity stripe. Along with Bradley, three other Lady Techsters finished in double figures. Isla Airey had 13 points with six rebounds. Jianna Morris and Marshall had 10 points apiece. Marshall finished with 11 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season.
WKU shot 29-75 overall, 8-30 from deep, and 12-14 from the line. Josie Gilvin led the way with a 19-point 10 rebound double-double. Alexis Mead and Acacia Hayes had 18 apiece.
NOTABLES
- The 29 points by Paris Bradley is the most by a Lady Techster since Keiunna Walker had 30 against FAU on March 4, 2023.
- Paris Bradley has an assist in every game this season.
- The 4th 20-point game by Bradley ties her with Mary Neil Kendrick (1975-76) for the eighth most by a freshman at LA Tech.
- LA Tech outrebounded their opponent for the 18th time. It is the 14th game with 40+ rebounds.
- Louisiana Tech dropped to 29-28 all-time against WKU.
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will have one final game inside the Thomas Assembly Center when the Lady Techsters take on Sam Houston on February 27, at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.