By Kevin Albarez, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Down by 17 halfway through the third quarter, the Lady Techsters mounted a comeback to force overtime but would come up short in the extra period, falling 66-64 to New Mexico State at the Pan American Center on Saturday afternoon.
Louisiana Tech dropped to 8-13 overall and 2-4 in Conference USA, while New Mexico State improved to 9-10 and 3-3 in CUSA.
New Mexico State came out on fire, connecting on their first five shots to take an early 12-0 lead just two and a half minutes into the ball game. LA Tech responded with a nine-point run, but NMSU would close the quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 22-10 lead after one.
The defenses stepped up in the second quarter, forcing each team into five turnovers and less than 30 percent from the field. The Lady Techsters closed the half on a six-point run to close the deficit to 31-20 at the intermission.
The Aggies looked to be in control at the media timeout of the third quarter, up 42-25, but that’s when Jianna Morris and Anja Bukvic started to take control. The duo connected on three 3-pointers over the final three minutes to cut the deficit to eight heading into the fourth.
Early in the fourth, New Mexico State seemed to have an answer every time the Lady Techsters tried to make a comeback. Tech never gave up, and after an Anna Larr Roberson jumper in the paint capped off an eight-point run, the lead was down to one. Robyn Lee stole an Aggie pass and went the length of the floor to tie the game up with 19 seconds remaining.
In overtime, New Mexico State scored the first five points, but the Lady Techsters continued to fight. Bukvic banked in a three from the right wing with seven seconds remaining to cut it back to a one-point game. The Aggies would make 1-of-2 from the line, and a Bukvic floater would fall short as time expired.
Bukvic and Morris both finished with career nights from the field. Bukvic finished with 18 points, setting a career-high in three of the last four games. Morris finished with 17 points and tied a career-high six rebounds while adding four assists.
Jaila Harding and Ene Adams led New Mexico State with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
“They dictated things defensively. We played tentative, passive, and turned the ball over, which to transition, which is why they scored 22 in the first quarter. We finally settled in and started taking care of the ball. We started scoring 36 in the second half and then eight in overtime.
We shot ourselves in the foot to start the game with our lack of toughness. They bodied us up and were physical with us, and we didn’t handle it very well. That resulted in some poor decision-making in terms of passes and some bad shots. They attacked us from the tip, and we didn’t do a good job. We responded, and I’m proud of that. I’m proud of the fight that they had.
We gave ourselves a chance to win the game, but we don’t play to be close. We play to win the game. I am appreciative of their effort, and we had a gut check. We came out and competed hard, but we’re not about just competing like we’re trying to win.”