Lady Techsters Triumph Over UTEP in Regular-Season Finale

In an impressive display of skill and determination, the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters closed their regular season with a 69-51 victory over UTEP. This road win at the Don Haskins Center was a significant boost for the Lady Techsters. They now head into the CUSA Tournament with renewed confidence and momentum. The standout performance of Paris Bradley, who scored 24 points, was instrumental in securing this victory. Let’s dive deeper into this thrilling game and the remarkable achievements of the Lady Techsters.

Lady Techsters’ Dominant Performance

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters demonstrated their prowess on the court with a well-rounded performance against UTEP. The game began with UTEP taking an early lead, but the Lady Techsters quickly responded. Jianna Morris hit two free throws and a three-pointer to put Louisiana Tech ahead.

Despite UTEP’s efforts to regain control, the Lady Techsters maintained their composure and ended the first quarter with a 12-10 lead.

Second Quarter: A Tight Battle

The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Paris Bradley continued to shine, contributing six points, while Averi Aaron, Isla Airey, and Robyn Lee added crucial baskets. The Lady Techsters went into halftime with a narrow 24-22 lead, setting the stage for an intense second half.

Third Quarter: Taking Control

UTEP started the second half strong with a 5-0 run, but Louisiana Tech quickly countered with a 10-0 run of their own. Paris Bradley was pivotal during this stretch, scoring an and-one and a three-pointer.

The Lady Techsters built a 40-32 lead, and Jianna Morris hit her second three-pointer to keep them ahead 43-34. Although UTEP managed to close the gap to 43-39 by the end of the third quarter, Louisiana Tech was firmly in control.

Final Quarter: Sealing the Victory

In the final quarter, the Lady Techsters outscored UTEP 26-13 to secure the win. Averi Aaron scored seven points, Sydney Thomas hit two three-pointers for six points, and Paris Bradley and Jianna Morris each added five points.

The Lady Techsters’ shooting was impressive, with a 44.2 percent field goal percentage and 45.5 percent from behind the arc. Their defensive efforts were also noteworthy, limiting UTEP to just 35.1 percent shooting and a single three-pointer.

Key Players and Statistics

Paris Bradley was undoubtedly the star of the game, scoring 24 points for her fourth consecutive 20-point game. Her performance moved her past Tamicha Jackson for the seventh most 20-point games by a Lady Techster freshman.

Bradley also tied a career-high with two blocks and has an assist in every game this season. She is just 10 points away from tying Jackson for the 10th most points by a freshman for Louisiana Tech.

Jianna Morris was another standout, scoring 15 points and setting a career-high with five three-pointers. Averi Aaron contributed 11 points, scoring in double figures for the third time this season.

Sydney Thomas added nine points, including three three-pointers, and Jordan Marshall led the team with nine rebounds.

Team Achievements

The Lady Techsters’ performance was a team effort, with contributions from multiple players. They outrebounded UTEP for the 20th time this season and improved to 14-1 when having 10 or more assists.

Louisiana Tech’s overall shooting percentages were impressive, and their defensive efforts were key in limiting UTEP’s scoring opportunities.

Coach Stoehr’s Reflections

Head Coach Brooke Stoehr praised her team’s performance, particularly highlighting the guard group’s ball pressure and defensive effort. She emphasized the importance of focus and attention to detail, commending the team’s response from their previous game.

Stoehr reiterated the keys to winning on the road: defending, rebounding, and taking care of the basketball. She expressed confidence in her team’s ability to carry this momentum into the CUSA Tournament.

Looking Ahead: CUSA Tournament

With this victory, the Lady Techsters secured the fifth seed in the CUSA Tournament. They will face New Mexico State in their first game, scheduled for April 13 at 11:30 a.m.

This win provides a significant boost in confidence and momentum as they prepare for the tournament. The Lady Techsters will aim to continue their strong performance and make a deep run in the tournament.

Conclusion

The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters’ 69-51 victory over UTEP was a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork.

Standout performances from Paris Bradley, Jianna Morris, and Averi Aaron showcased the Lady Techsters’ potential as they head into the CUSA Tournament.

Coach Brooke Stoehr and her team have much to be proud of, and fans can look forward to seeing them compete at the highest level in the upcoming tournament.

For more details on the game and the Lady Techsters’ journey, you can read the full article here.