Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications Gabe Walker contributed to this report; featured photo via Louisiana Tech
The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters pulled away late in a 61-48 victory over Liberty in the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament Friday in Huntsville, Ala.
The top-seeded Lady Techsters (26-5), who have won 19 in a row, face No. 6 Missouri State (21-12) in the championship game Saturday at 4:30 p.m. for the title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network. Missouri State upset No. Florida International 74-69 in the other semifinal.
Louisiana Tech defeated Missouri State 68-67 at home on Feb. 14 and 60-51 on the road Jan. 22.
The game against Liberty was tied at 39 early in the fourth quarter. A 7-0 run gave Louisiana Tech a 46-39 lead. Liberty cut the deficit to 48-46 with 5:00 left.
The Lady Techsters then went on an 11-0 run for a 59-46 lead with 36 seconds left. Paris Bradley made two 3-pointers during the run. Jordan Marshall made a layup. Alexis Weaver sank two free throws and Averi Aaron one.
Marshall and Bradley scored 14 points each. Weaver had nine and Jianna Morris eight.
Emmy Stout led fifth-seeded Liberty (18-13) with 16 points.
“Unbelievably gritty, tough win by our team tonight,” Louisiana Tech Coach Brooke Stoer said. “I thought Liberty played well tonight so give them credit. They are a well coached team and several of those players were a part of a championship last year.
“I cannot say enough about the toughness and resilience of our group to comeback and defend the way they did in the second half.
“That is who this group has grown into since July. We just told them to stick to who they have been all year. It is such a beautiful thing to watch them celebrate, love and serve each other the way they do.
“The job is not finished. Positive discontent as we get ready to compete for 40 minutes together tomorrow.”
NOTABLES
- Liberty’s 17 points in the second half are the least points Louisiana Tech have allowed in the second half to a DI opponent since holding UAB to 17 on February 12th, 2021.
- Paris Bradley shot 4-8 from three, making 11 triples so far this tournament.
- Bradley tied with Marshall for the scoring title with 14 points, making it the fifth game of the last six with Bradley as the leading scorer.
- Louisiana Tech is making its second CUSA title game in its history, the last coming in 2022.
- It is the 23rd conference tournament championship game that Louisiana Tech has been a part of, winning 16 of them.
- This was the first game since last season that Jianna Morris did not make a three. Morris had the third longest active streak in Division I at 36 games in a row.
- Bradley has made the most three pointers by a sophomore in program history with 66.
- 22 free throw makes on 29 free throw attempts are both the third most by Louisiana Tech this season.