By Gabe Walker, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications; featured photo by Darrell James
RUSTON — The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters kept their winning streak Aline Saturday thanks to some clutch shooting from behind the arc.
The Lady Techsters hit 6-of-8 3-pointers and pulled out a 68-67 victory over Missouri State at The Thomas Assembly Center.
Louisiana Tech improved to 19-5 overall with their 12th victory in a row and 12-1 in Conference USA. The Lady Techsters lead the conference by three games over second-place Middle Tennessee.
The Lady Techsters led 28-27 at the half. The Bears had a big third quarter and led 52-44 going into the fourth.
Paris Bradley ignited the Louisiana Tech offense, making two 3-pointers to cut the lead to two.
Missouri State strung together good possessions, getting the lead back up to eight with seven minutes to play. Two more big 3-pointers from Louisiana Tech cut the lead to three two separate times, with Kaleigh Thompson nailing a huge 3-pointer from the right corner with 2:18 left to play.
It was the first Louisiana Tech lead in nearly 16 minutes. Both teams struggled to score until Lainie Douglas broke through for the Lady Bears to take a 67-66 lead with 20 seconds to play. With the game on the line, Bradley was fouled on a layup attempt with six seconds left, allowing the Preseason Player of the Year to shoot two free throws.
Swish, swish.
Missouri State called a timeout, advancing the ball and forcing Louisiana Tech to defend the halfcourt. The Lady Techsters forced the Lady Bears to shoot a contested shot for the win but it was an airball.
Alexia Weaver the Lady Techsters in scoring for the third straight game with 14 points. Joy Madison-Key dished six assists and committed only one turnover off the bench.
QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I am incredibly proud of the toughness and resilience our group showed today in that fourth quarter. Give Missouri State credit. I thought they played very well and played with a greater sense of urgency for a majority of the game today. This team never waived from their belief in each other and found a way to get stops when we needed them and got the ball moving to find open shooters at critical times. Saturdays are about toughness, and we found it within ourselves to get back to doing the little things that allowed us to get stops and score the ball. I am just so proud of how we responded and did it together today. We have to get some things cleaned up on film and practice before we hit the road again next week. I know this group will approach it the right way and will be ready to compete in two tough games on the road.
Guard Paris Bradley
We had to get back to playing together. Our “next play” mentality found a way to stack possession on top of possessions and it kept us going.
Guard Alexia Weaver
They did a good job adjusting to our defensive pressure. We just could not lose hope. We knew that we could start a run and start punching back.
NOTABLES
- Jianna Morris has made the most three pointers by a junior in program history, making 67 on the season so far.
- Louisiana Tech led for only 2:40 in the second half
- Missouri State led by as much as nine, tying the largest deficit that LA Tech has faced in conference play this season.
- The Lady Techsters shot 6-8 from three in the final quarter, allotting for 75% of their points in the frame.
- Alexia Weaver led LA Tech in scoring for the third straight game with 14 points. Weaver has led in scoring seven times this season, second to Bradley who has done it 10 times.
- Jordan Marshall led the team with seven rebounds, her 13th time this season as the leader.
- Joy Madison-Key dished a team high six assists, her 12th time leading in assists this season.
- Louisiana Tech was outrebounded 36-23, the largest deficit since the opening game against Arkansas, losing the board-battle 50-36.
- The Lady Techsters shot 10-11 from the free throw line, including Paris Bradley’stwo to seal the game.
- LA Tech have scored at least 20 points in a quarter in seven straight games.
- Twelve conference wins ties the most Louisiana Tech has had as members of Conference USA. It is the third season with at least 12 wins.
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech get back on the road to face Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State Thursday and Saturday. Tipoff against Jacksonville State will be at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.