By Kevin Albarez, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications
EL PASO, Texas — Louisiana Tech closed the regular season with a 69-51 road win over UTEP on Saturday afternoon in the Don Haskins Center.
Paris Bradley scored 24 points for her fourth consecutive game of 20 or more to lead the Lady Techsters (15-14, 8-10). Jianna Morris had 15, and Averi Aaron finished with 11.
UTEP (11-18, 4-14) scored the first four points of the game before Morris hit two free throws. Morris would knock down a three to put the Techsters up one. The Miners made back-to-back layups to take an 8-5 lead into the media timeout.
Bradley got her scoring going from the charity stripe, and Sydney Thomas connected on one of her three 3-pointers to give Tech the lead. UTEP would tie it up before Bradley hit a layup to give the Lady Techsters a 12-10 lead after one.
The second quarter continued to be a back-and-forth battle. Bradley had six points, while Aaron, Isla Airey, and Robyn Lee contributed a basket each. LA Tech would go into the locker room up 24-22.
UTEP opened the second half on a 5-0 run to take the lead. However, Tech responded with a 10-0 run of their own to start to take control of the game. Bradley had another and-one, along with another triple during the run. The freshman’s third 3-pointer gave Tech a 40-32 lead, and Morris hit her second to keep the Techsters up 43-34. The Miners closed the lead to 43-39 to end the third.
Louisiana Tech outscored UTEP 26-13 in the final stanza to close out the game. Aaron had seven points, Thomas hit two triples for six, and Bradley and Morris had five apiece during the quarter.
The Lady Techsters shot 44.2 percent from the field (23-52), 45.5 from behind the arc (10-22), but just 65 percent from the line (13-20). Thomas finished with nine points, and four other players scored for LA Tech. Jordan Marshall finished with nine rebounds.
UTEP finished 35.1 percent for the game (20-57) and 83.3 from the line (10-12). The Miners didn’t hit a three-pointer until midway through the fourth and finished just 1-9 from long range. Luisa Vydrova had 17 points, and Ndback Mbengue had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
“I thought our guard group really set the tone for us today with their ball pressure and effort defensively. I’m very proud of the team’s response from Thursday night. Their focus and attention to detail on the scout was exactly what we needed. We’ve talked all year long about the things it takes to win on the road: defend, rebound and take care of the basketball. We did that for the most part today. We got the ball moving in the 2nd half and found shooters and delivered scoring passes. It’s great to go into the tournament with some momentum. Everyone is 0-0 at this point and we have to take it one game at a time.”
NOTABLES
- Paris Bradley’s six 20-point games moves her past Tamicha Jackson (96-97) for the seventh most by a Lady Techster freshman.
- Paris Bradley has an assist in every game this season.
- Paris Bradley is 10 points away from tying Tamicha Jackson for the 10th most points by a freshman for the Lady Techsters.
- Paris Bradley is the first Lady Techster freshman with 400 points since Tamicha Jackson in 1996-96.
- It is the first time a Lady Techster scored 20+ points in four straight games since Keiunna Walker did it in four straight from January 5, 2023-January 14, 2023.
- Paris Bradley tied a career-high with two blocks.
- Jordan Marshall is tied with Angela Turner for the 10th most by a Lady Techster freshman.
- Averi Aaron scored in double figures for the third time this season.
- The five fg by Averi Aaron tied a career-high.
- The five three pointers by Jianna Morrisset a career high.
- LA Tech outrebounded their opponent for the 20th time.
- LA Tech is 14-1 when having 10+ assists.
- Louisiana Tech improved to 19-12 all-time against UTEP.
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will be the fifth seed in the CUSA Tournament and will take on New Mexico State at 11:30 a.m. on April 13.