JONESBORO - Following its loss at Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech coach Kurt Budke challenged his basketball team prior to Monday night's contest at Arkansas State. His players responded.

The Lady Techsters (2-1) played with more emotion and intensity as they downed the Lady Indians 72-54 before 2,192 fans at the Convocation Center.

"The first thing was how we competed," Budke said. "Offensively we are still struggling. We won this game on the defensive end and with our rebounding. This is never an easy place to play, and I was proud of our effort. If we compete like that every night, we have a chance to win."

After Arkansas State jumped out to a 13-8 lead early on, the Lady Techsters responded with a 10-0 run, grabbing an 18-13 advantage. Tech struggled from the field early on but freshman guard Tasha Crain, who was making her first career start, came up big with two steals and easy layups igniting the Tech offense.

"She came into the halftime locker room with no turnovers," said Budke, of the Arkansas native. "She responded with the start. If she continues to play like that, it will be hard to get her out of the staring lineup. I am very proud of her tonight."

Perhaps the biggest shot of the night came at the end of the first half when sophomore guard Erica Smith drained a 27-footer to give the Lady Techsters a 32-23 halftime lead and the momentum. Tech came out of the halftime locker room and outscored ASU 17-6 to take control of the game.

Senior center Cheryl Ford led Tech with 19 points and 15 rebounds in 30 minutes, and time after time, made shots when Arkansas State cut into the Tech advantage.

"None of us were happy with Western Kentucky game the other night," Budke said. "Cheryl wasn't happy with her performance. She came back and gave us a huge effort tonight. Everytime they made a run, Cheryl Ford answered the call."

Smith finished the night with 16 points, while Crain added 10 points, five assists and two steals in 28 minutes. On the night Tech outrebounded Arkansas State 49-28 while shooting 46 percent from the field.

The Lady Techsters return to action Dec. 4 when they host Tennessee at the Thomas Assembly Center at 7 p.m.