Battle for first place: Thursday nights contest between Louisiana Tech and Florida International will pit the first and second place teams in the Sun Belt Conference East Division. Tech (17-4, 8-0) stands atop the division, while FIU (15-3, 7-1) is one game behind.
Florida International Series: Louisiana Tech leads the series against Florida International 5-0 as the Lady Techsters have won all five games over the past two seasons in conference play. Tech has defeated FIU on two ocassions in Ruston, winning 71-64 in 1998-99 and 89-62 in 1999-2000. FIU gave Tech its closest SBC regular season game last year when the Lady Techsters won 65-54 in Miami.
1998-99 Tech 71, FIU 64 Ruston, La.1998-99 Tech 80, FIU 65 Miami, Fla.1998-99 Tech 94, FIU 70 * Jonesboro, Ark.1999-00 Tech 65, FIU 54 Miami, Fla.1999-00 Tech 84, FIU 60 Ruston, La.* SBC Tournament Championship game
Radio: The contest can be heard live on KNBB-FM 99.3 (Ruston), KBYO-FM 104.5 (Tallulah-Vicksburg) and KEEL-AM 710 (Shreveport) with Tech Media Relations Director
Malcolm Butler providing the play-by-play.
Scouting the golden Panthers: Florida International has been the surprise of the Sun Belt Conference, posting a 15-3 mark and a 7-1 record in the conference. Although the Golden Panthers were picked to finish third in the East Division, they have exceeded expectations thus far, losing only three contests (Villanova 52-50, Kentucky 60-58 and Western Kentucky (76-59). Forward Gergana Slavtechva leads FIU offensively, averaging 19.9 points and 5.9 rebounds a contest. Mandy Shafer (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg) and Cormisha Cotton (11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg) are also scoring in double figures for the Golden Panthers.
Last Time Out: Kenya Bibbs scored 15 points to lead four Lady Techsters in double figures as Louisiana Tech defeated Arkansas-Little Rock 83-52 at Trojan Fieldhouse.
The Lady Techsters trailed 12-9 at the 14:51 mark of the first half but held the Lady Trojans scoreless for more than nine minutes while outscoring them 19-0 to take a commanding 28-12 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
Tech went into the locker room leading 42-20 and quickly upped the advantage to 67-31 midway through the second half. UALR got no closer than 27 as Tech coasted to its 44th straight Sun Belt Conference regular season win.
Ayana Walker and Amber Obaze added 12 points each, while Brooke Lassiter chipped in with 10 points and seven assists.
Walker grabbed 13 rebounds to record her seventh double-double of the season, while Bibbs, Cheryl Ford and Takeisha Lewis each grabbed 10 rebounds.
First Time: Louisiana Tech had four players grab 10 or more rebounds in the Lady Techsters win over Arkansas-Little Rock Jan. 27. Ayana Walker led the way with 13 boards, while Cheryl Ford, Kenya Bibbs and Takeisha Lewis added 10 each. It is thought to be the first time in Lady Techsters history that this has occurred.
Cleaning the Glass: In the last four games, Louisiana Tech has dominated its opponents in rebounding. Tech has outrebounded ASU, WKU, MT, and UALR 212-131 (53-32.7). Prior to that stretch, the Lady Techsters went through a five-game period where they were outrebounded 213-200.
Lassiter heating up: Junior guard Brooke Lassiter has really stepped up offensively over the past five games as the Portland, Ark., native has scored 10 or more points in three of those contests. Over that time, the 5-foot-9 guard has averaged 9.6 points, hitting 53 percent of her shots, while also recording 27 assists and only 9 turnovers.
100 for 100: With its 105-47 win over Western Kentucky Jan. 18, Louisiana Tech posted the 100th 100-plus point game in the program's history. Tech is now 98-2 all-time when scoring 100 or more points.
Record Set: The 58-point margin of victory by Louisiana Tech over Western Kentucky was the largest in the 28 game series between the two schools (previous was an 89-49 win by Tech in 1995-96). It also marked the first time WKU had surrendered 100 or more points since North Carolina State accomplished the feat in Nov. 25, 1990 (100-74).
Turnover? No!: Louisiana Tech also set a season low against Western Kentucky with only seven turnovers as a team. The last time a Lady Techster team turned the ball over seven times or less was March 5, 1999, in a 114-67 win over Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals.
What an Assist: In Tech's last four wins, Louisiana Tech has recorded 81 assists on 139 made field goals (58 percent).
Ford tough: Since moving into the starting lineup four games ago, sophomore center Cheryl Ford has played like she wants to stay there. Over the course of those contests, Ford has averaged 15.0 points and 7.8 rebounds while connecting on 23 of 41 shots (56 percent) from the field.
Where they rank: Louisiana Tech currently ranks No. 8 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Top 25 Poll and No. 7 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Florida International is among the others receiving votes in both polls.
Poll Hangers: Louisiana Tech has finished the season ranked in the Top 10 of the Associated Press polls for 20 of the last 22 years.
No. 750: Although Louisiana Tech is only in its 27th year of women's basketball, the Lady Techster program won its 750th game in Denton, Texas, Jan. 11 with a 75-63 win over North Texas. Tech is one of only two programs with 700 or more victories.
By No. of Victories (As of Jan. 13)Program Record Years1. Tennessee 842-208 562. Louisiana Tech 754-127 273. Old Dominion 689-228 324. Texas 682-196 275. James Madison 680-383 79By Winning Percentage (As of Jan. 13)Program Record Winning Percentage1. La. Tech 754-127 .8552. Tennessee 842-208 .8013. Montana 527-145 .7844. Texas 682-196 .7775. SFA 681-218 .755
Vs. Top 25: Louisiana Tech has posted a 3-2 record against teams ranked in the Top 25 at the time they played. The Lady Techsters defeated No. 13 Virginia 72-59, No. 4 Purdue 68-63 and No. 14 Mississippi State 83-65 while losing to No. 2 Tennessee 70-62 and No. 1 Connecticut 71-55. Four other of Tech's opponents are receiving votes in this weeks polls (Indiana, Houston, Michigan and Chattanooga).
Strength of Schedule: Louisiana Tech has played a formidable early season schedule as 15 of the first 20 games have come against teams with a .500 or better record at the time they played. The following is a list of Tech's opponents and their record as this point of the season (Jan. 28, 2001): Rice (11-8), Chattanooga (16-3), Purdue (19-3), Michigan (13-7), Indiana (14-6), Houston (14-6), Virginia (14-8), Mississippi State (10-9), Tennessee (21-1), Arkansas State (10-9), Denver (15-5), onnecticut (17-1), North Texas (11-8) and Western Kentucky (14-6). Nicholls State (5-13), Centenary (0-19), Texas-Arlington (5-14) and UALR twice (5-14) are the only Tech opponents with a losing record. Thus the combined record of Tech's opponents is 213-141 (.601). Take away the four teams with losing marks and the combined record is 198-81 (.710).
44 and counting: Heading into the Middle Tennessee game Thursday, Louisiana Tech has won the last 44 regular season games against Sun Belt Conference opponents. The last loss during the regular season to a conference foe was at Western Kentucky (88-86) in 1997-98. Since the Tech joined the SBC in 1991-92, the Lady Techsters have posted a 125-9 mark during regular season league contests.
65 and counting: Over the past nine seasons, Louisiana Tech has dominated conference opponents in the Thomas Assembly Center, posting a 66-1 mark. Included in that impressive record is a current 65-game winning streak.
Home, Sweet, Home: Louisiana Tech has dominated opponents for the past 18-plus seasons in the Thomas Assembly Center (8,000). Over the course of that time, the Lady Techsters have posted a 276-17 record at home. Seven of those 16 losses came in a two-year span in the early '90s. Tech has won 88 of the last 91 games at the TAC. The last two losses have come to Tennessee.
Tech vs. the sun Belt Conference: Louisiana Tech claims a 160-12 record against current members of the Sun Belt Conference. Tech has posted a winning mark against every member of the conference with the exception of New Mexico State, who the Lady Techsters have never played (Arkansas State, 30-2; Arkansas-Little Rock, 4-0; Denver, 3-0; Florida International, 5-0; Louisiana-Lafayette, 36-0; Middle Tennessee, 3-0; New Orleans, 38-2; North Texas, 3-0; South Alabama, 18-0; and Western Kentucky, 20-8).
Preseason Honors: Louisiana Tech was the unanimous choice to win the East Division of the Sun Belt Conference this season in the preseason coaches poll. Lady Techsters Ayana Walker and Takeisha Lewis also earned preseason All-Sun Belt Conference honors.
East Division West DivisionLouisiana Tech (12) 72 Denver (10) 68Western Kentucky 56 North Texas 53Florida International 48 New Orleans 45Arkansas State 32 N Mex. St. (2) 40Middle Tennessee 31 ULL 31Arkansas-Little Rock 13 South Alabama 15
The New Sun Belt: The Sun Belt Conference added three new schools this season as Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State and North Texas joined. Thus the 12-member conference is now divided into an East Division (Tech, Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Middle Tennessee and Florida International) and West Division (Denver, New Mexico State, North Texas, Louisiana-Lafayette, New Orleans and South Alabama).
WAC .... 2001: 2000-01 marks the final year for Louisiana Tech in the Sun Belt Conference. Starting in the fall of 2001, the school will make and all-sports move to the Western Athletic Conference.
Coach Leon Barmore: Barmore enters his 19th season as head coach of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. He began at Tech as an assistant coach in 1977-78 under Sonja Hogg and was promoted to associate head coach in 1980-81 and then co-head coach in 1982-83. In 1985-86 Barmore took over as the lone head coach. In his 18-plus seasons, Barmore has compiled a career record of 535-81 (.868), the highest winning percentage among active Division I mens or womens coaches.
Elite Group: By winning 30-plus games last season, Louisiana Tech Head Coach Leon Barmore became one of only three coaches in the history of mens or womens basketball to post five consecutive seasons of 30 or more victories. Barmore joined former Tech coach Sonja Hogg (6 straight) and Connecticut Head Coach Geno Auriemma as the only threesome to accomplish the feat.
Assisting Barmore: The offseason was a busy one for Barmore who hired two new coaches and an administrative assistant. Kurt Budke joins the Lady Techsters as the associate head coach after leading Trinity Valley Community College to four national titles in the past seven seasons. Stacy Johnson joins the staff as an assistant after leading Cameron University for the past three seasons. Former Lady Techster letter winner Katie Cochran rounded out the new coaching staff as the administrative assistant. Chris Long returns for his second year at Tech as an assistant.
Retirement Ceremony: Louisiana Tech head coach Leon Barmore had his No. 12 jersey retired at halftime of the Connecticut game Jan. 7. Barmore, who lettered from 1965-67 at Tech, scored 1,168 career points and grabbed 265 rebounds during his three-year career. Barmore joins Karl Malone and Jackie Moreland as the only three players in Tech history to score 1,000 or more points in only a three-year career. Barmore's jersey is only the third to be retired by Tech along with Moreland and Malone. The Pro Ranks: Louisiana Tech was the only school in the country to have three players selected in the 2000 WNBA Draft as Betty Lennox (1st Round, sixth overall, Minnesota Lynx), Tamicha Jackson (1st round, eighth overall, Detroit Shock) and Shaka Massey (4th round, Charlotte Sting) were all taken. Lennox and Jackson joined former Techsters Teresa Weatherspoon (New York Liberty), Vickie Johnson (New York Liberty), Alisa Burras (Portland Fire), Amanda Wilson (Phoenix Mercury) and Monica Maxwell (Indiana Fever) to give Tech seven current WNBA players. Lennox earned the league's Rookie of the Year award for her performance with the Lynx.
Building Blocks: Louisiana Tech junior Ayana Walker has been one of the nation's top shot blockers this season, already recording a five-block performance against No. 14 Mississippi State and two six-block efforts against No. 2 Tennessee and SBC foe Denver. The Houston, Texas, native ranks No. 10 in the country and No. 1 in the Sun Belt Conference at 2.9 blocks a contest. The six blocked shots against Tennessee and Denver ranks second in the Tech record books for most blocked shots by a player in the Thomas Assembly Center (ties Venus Lacy and Tori Harrison). It also ranks No. 4 in the Tech record books for a single game anywhere (tied with both Lacy and Harrison).
Rejection specialist: With five blocked shots in Tech's recent two-game road trip, Ayana Walker moved into sixth place on the Tech list and ninth place on the Sun Belt list for career blocks with 157.
Tech Career Blocks Leaders5. Venus Lacy 1646. Ayana Walker 1577. LaShawn Brown 1538. Erica Westbrooks 1469. Debra Rodman 14210. Elinor Griffin 105SBC Career Blocks Leaders7. Adrian Vickers, USA 1787. Orphie Moore, USA 1789. Ayana Walker, Tech 15710. LaShawn Brown, Tech 153
Nationally ranked: Louisiana Tech appears in the NCAA Statistics in a number of categories while two Lady Techsters are also nationally ranked in individual statistical marks. Junior guard Brooke Lassiter ranks No. 1 in the country in free throw percentage at .925 while junior forward ranks No. Ayana Walker ranks No. 8 in blocked shots at 2.7 a game. As a team Tech ranks No. 7 in scoring defense (56.9), No. 8 in scoring margin (+19.0), No. 2 in field goal percentage defense (.339) and No. 5 in rebounding margin (+9.6).
3-point Struggles: After shooting 38 percent (163-434) as a team from the three-point line last year (the best ever by a Lady Techster team), this year's squad has struggled from treyville. Through the first 19 games, Tech is only hitting 29 percent of its threes as the Lady Techsters have connected on only 49 of 168. Tech ranked No. 1 in the SBC in that category last season, but presently ranks No. 11.
Inside, Not Out: Last season 55 percent of Tech's points came from their perimeter players led by the All-American backcourt of Tamicha Jackson and Betty Lennox. However, this season only 31 percent of the Lady Techsters scoring is by its perimeter players as Tech's top three offensive threats are post players (Ayana Walker, Kenya Bibbs and Takeisha Lewis).
Change of the game plan: Last season Louisiana Tech shot a whopping 434 three-pointers or an average of 12.8 a game. This season Tech has only attempted 168 treys or an average of 8.0 a game.
Trend Setters: Through the first 21 games Louisiana Tech is setting a few interesting trends. When the Lady Techsters allow more than 70 points they are 0-3 (17-1 when under 70). Tech is also 1-3 when the opponent shoots 40 percent or better from the field (16-1 when under 40 percent). Tech is 1-3 when outrebounded (16-1 when they outrebound the opponent). Even more interesting is that three of Tech's four losses have come on Sunday games.
WINT Champs: For the second time in five seasons, Louisiana Tech captured the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament by defeating No. 4 ranked Purdue 68-63 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Tech advanced to the championship game with a 72-59 win over No. 13 Virginia. Tech is now a perfect 8-0 all-time in the preseason WNIT.
MVP Showing: Junior forward Ayana Walker earned the MVP honors at the WNIT after recording double-doubles in both the semifinals and finals. Walker scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Virginia and added a career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds against Purdue.
All-Tournament, Too: In addition to Walker's great showing at the WNIT, junior guard Brooke Lassiter earned all-tournament team honors for her performance. Lassiter recorded her first career double-double with 12 points and 11 assists against Virginia before adding 12 points and four assists against Purdue.
Frierson Out: Louisiana Tech sophomore sensation Catrina Frierson suffered a season-ending knee injury in a pickup game in mid-September and is out for the year. The Vicksburg, Miss., native averaged 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds a contest as a freshman. Frierson increased her production drastically during the postseason, averaging 15.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in the SBC and NCAA Tournaments.
Antony Out: Louisiana Tech sophomore guard Ashley Antony will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery Dec. 20 on her ankle (ligament damage). The Anacoco, La., native was averaging 1.3 points in seven games this season, but was the first guard off the bench for Head Coach Leon Barmore.
Seniorless: Louisiana Tech's 13-member active roster this season has one glaring -- yet promising -- feature as it contains zero seniors. Leon Barmore's squad features six juniors,four sophomores and three freshmen.
Lucky No. 8: Louisiana Tech claimed its eighth straight Sun Belt Conference regular season title last year. The Lady Techsters have won every title since the 1991-92 season when the Techsters finished third. Tech also won its fifth straight tournament title.
Double Trouble: Four different Louisiana Tech players have recorded double-doubles this season, led by Ayana Walker's seven and Takeisha Lewis' six.
Player 00-01 CareerTakeisha Lewis 6 15Ayana Walker 7 12Cheryl Ford 0 1Brooke Lassiter 1* 1*Kenya Bibbs 1 1* denotes points and assists
20/20: Entering this season, Louisiana Tech junior forward Ayana Walker had only scored 20 or more points once in her career. However, through the first 21 games of this season, Walker has eclipsed the 20-point plateau on nine separate ocassions (23 vs. Rice, 24 vs. No. 4 Purdue, 20 vs. Indiana and 26 vs. No. 2 Tennessee, 20 vs. Centenary, 23 vs. Arkansas State, 22 vs. Denver, 23 vs. North Texas, 22 vs. Middle Tennessee).
Dishing -- And Protecting -- The Rock: Although Louisiana Tech posted a 31-3 mark in 1999-00, Head Coach Leon Barmore was not happy about his team's assist to turnover ratio as the Lady Techsters recorded 542 assists while turning the ball over 610 times. However, through the first 19 games this season Tech's starting guard combination of Essence Perry (58-42), Brooke Lassiter (109-51) have combined to record 167 assists and commit only 93 turnovers. Lassiter ranks No. 2 in the SBC in assist/turnover ratio.
Dishing -- And Protecting -- The Rock ... in conference play: As impressive as Brooke Lassiter and Essence Perry have been with assist-to-turnover ratio in all games, they have been even more impressive in conference contests. In eight conference games, Lassiter (43-18) and Perry (28-13) have combined to record 71 assists and only 31 turnovers.
40% -- Not: Through the first 21 games of the season, Louisiana Tech has allowed only four opponents to shoot 40 percent or better from the field. Houston shot 42 percent in the Lady Cougars victory Dec. 3, Tennessee shot 41 percent Dec. 10, Connecticut shot 46 percent against Tech Jan. 7 and North Texas shot 43 percent Jan. 11.
Century Mark: With the 100-34 win over Centenary Dec. 12, Louisiana Tech kept a pretty impressive streak alive. The Lady Techsters have broken the 100-point barrier in at least one game in every season in the program's history.
Rebounding War: Last year Louisiana Tech led the nation in rebounding margin at +10.6 per game while outrebounding 31 of 34 opponents. Thus far this season, Tech has outrebounded 17 of 21 opponents by an average of +9.6 a game.
Long-range bomber: With a trio of three-pointers in Tech's two game road swing, Brooke Lassiter past Linda Watson for 8th place on the Tech career three-pointers list. .
Tech Career 3-pointers Made Leaders5. Betty Lennox 886. Christie Sides 697. Cara Guillon 468. Brooke Lassiter 399. Linda Watson 3610. Amanda Wilson 33Tech Career 3-pointers Attempted Leaders5. Betty Lennox 2516. Christie Sides 1547. Cara Guillon 1408. Linda Watson 1229. Brooke Lassiter 11310. Amy Brown 105
All-Time Women's Home Win Streaks: Louisiana Tech holds three of the nation's Top 10 all-time home win streaks, including a school record 62 game win streak from Dec. 9, 1982 to Feb. 18, 1986.
1. Tennessee 69 (Feb. 1, 1991-Jan. 2, 1996)2. Grambling 68 (Feb. 1, 1994-Jan. 6, 2000)2. Auburn 68 (Feb. 5, 1986-Nov. 23, 1991)4. Louisiana Tech 62 (Dec. 9, 1982-Feb. 18, 1986)5. Virginia 61 (Jan. 18, 1992-Dec. 20, 1995)6. Connecticut 54 (Jan. 24, 1996-Jan. 2, 1999)7. Colorado 53 (Feb. 20, 1980-Nov. 19, 1983)7. Rutgers 53 (Feb. 10, 1985-Dec. 30, 1988)9. Louisiana Tech 52 (Mar. 16, 1995-Mar. 16, 1998)10. Louisiana Tech 49 (Nov. 30, 1978-Dec. 4, 1982)10. Stanford 49 (Nov. 25, 1994-Nov. 26, 1997)10. Rutgers 49 (Dec. 10, 1977-Jan. 30, 1982)
frosh phenom?: Louisiana Tech freshman guard Amber Obaze was one of 42 players 18 years or younger invited to the 2000 USA Basketball Women's Junior World Championship Qualifying team trials this past summer. The Dallas, Texas, native is also the first true freshman to begin the season as a starter for a Leon Barmore squad since the 1996 season when Tamicha Jackson started at the point guard position.
Kansas State ... Trinity Valley ... Louisiana Tech: Louisiana Tech junior Essence Perry is the starting point guard for the Lady Techsters, marking the third team in three seasons that the Lawton, Okla., native has started for. Perry started every game at Kansas State her freshman season, leading the Wildcats in assists (137) and steals (48). The 5-foot-7 guard then transferred to Trinity Valley Community College where she averaged 9.3 points and 5.3 assists for the Lady Cardinals.
Jones Cup Invitees: A pair of Louisiana Tech players were invited to the USA Basketball Jones Cup trials this past summer. Junior Ayana Walker and sophomore Catrina Frierson were among 45 college players invited to the elite camp.
Mailman Delivers: Don't be surprised if you think you see Utah Jazz star Karl "The Mailman" Malone when you look into the face of Lady Techster No. 32 Cheryl Ford. The sophomore standout from Summerfield High School is the daughter of Malone. Cheryl's brother Daryl plays for the Tech men's squad.
Smith Inks Early: Louisiana Tech signed its only recruit for the year during the early signing period when Erica Smith inked with the Lady Techsters Nov. 8. Smith is a 5-foot-10 guard from Palestine-Wheatley High School in Arkansas and has been rated by numerous publications as the No. 1 player in the state. Smith was one of 42 players 18 years or younger invited to the 2000 USA Basketball Junior World Championships Qualifying team trials this past summer.
recapping last season: Louisiana Tech posted a 31-3 mark and advanced to the Midwest Regional Finals in Kansas City. Along the way, Tech won its eighth straight Sun Belt Conference regular season title and its fifth straight SBC tournament title. Head Coach Leon Barmore recorded his 500th career victory against South Alabama Jan. 10, 2000, in Ruston. Tamicha Jackson became the 16th Kodak All-American in the history of the program. Betty Lennox also earned numerous All-American honors and was named the SBC Player of the Year. Jackson, Lennox and Shaka Massey were all selected in the WNBA draft, making Tech the only school to have three players drafted.
