RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech forward Ayana Walker scored 23 points to lead the eighth-ranked Lady Techsters to an 85-54 win over Rice in a foul-infested second round contest of the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament at the Thomas Assembly Center.
With the win, Tech (2-0) advances to the final four of the tournament Nov. 19 and 20 at a site yet to be determined and will play the winner of Virginia and George Washington who play at 7:30 p.m. today.
Walker, who scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the win over Chattanooga Friday night, connected on 9-of-18 shots from the field and added nine rebounds.
"Like Coach (Leon) Barmore has told me, I have to decide whether I want to be a great player or just a good player," Walker said. "It's time for me to step up and stop hiding behind someone else's shadow. Plus I have to be a leader on this team."
Rice took its only lead of the game at 7-5 at the 16:23 mark of the first half before Tech responded with a 20-3 run to grab a 25-10 advantage. The Lady Owls were held scoreless for a seven minutes stretch in the first half thanks in large part to a tenacious Tech man-to-man defense as Tech grabbed a 34-18 halftime lead.
Tech shot 47 percent (29-of-62) for the game, while limiting Rice to only 25 percent (12-49) for the game.
"It always starts with our defense. Coming into the game, we didn't know but a couple of their players who were back from last year," Walker said. "We didn't know what they were going to run, but we did a good job of adjusting."
The second half was plagued by fouls, as the two teams combined for 42 second-half fouls and 72 free throws. Tech hit 26-of-42 free throws, while Rice connected on 23-of-39.
In the second stanza, Tech built its lead to as much as 39 at 65-26 with 9:36 remaining before cruising to the win.
"(Our team's success) starts with the leadership of (Ayana) and Brooke, and the play of those two," Barmore said. "I think the play of Essence (Perry) has really surprised me; how good she is. She is the perfect guard for our basketball team."
Perry scored three points and recorded five assists in 30 minutes of action, while not committing a turnover. Lassiter added eight points, three rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes.
Tech will face Michigan Nov. 17 in Ann Arbor before playing in the semifinals of the WNIT.
"This is no indication of what is ahead," Barmore said. "We have some tough games. I told this team I thought they could capture the hearts of this community better than any team has done in a long, long time. The work ethic is great, and the starting five is responding. It's a long road, but I am so pleased (with this team)."
Rice freshman Kate Beckler led the Lady Owls with nine points, hitting only 2-of-12 from the field. Tech outrebounded Rice 52-35.
