TULSA, Okla. - Trina Frierson scored 19 points and Cheryl Ford added 18 points and nine rebounds to lead sixth-ranked Louisiana Tech (27-2) to an 80-55 win over Boise State in first round Western Athletic Conference Tournament action Tuesday night at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.

The duo combined to score 13 of Tech's first 18 points as the Lady Techsters jumped out to an early 18-2 lead at the 14:44 mark of the first half. Although the Broncos (10-20) closed the gap to 11 points, they would get no closer as Tech coasted to its 25th straight win of the season.

"We really thought we had a nice team effort defensively," said Tech head coach Kurt Budke. "I think you could look up a couple of times in the game and you could see on skip passes five people moving at a time. When we do that, we can take up a lot of space with our athleticism and our size. No doubt that was a key to the game."

Boise State, boasting only two players on its roster 6-feet or taller, could not contain the pair of first team all-WAC selections as Ford hit 7 of 8 field goals and Frierson converted 8 of 11 to help Tech shoot 50 percent for the game.
The Techsters defense set the tone early, forcing Boise State into turnovers on its first four possessions of the game. The Broncos didn't hit their first field goal until Cariann Ramirez hit an 18-foot jump shot with 12:32 remaining to close Tech's lead to 18-4.

On the night, Tech forced the Broncos into 26 turnovers, leadng to 30 Lady Techster points.

"Our goal coming into this game was to make it more of a half court game," said Boise State head coach Jen Warden. "Clearly, if I were coaching the other (team), I would try to make it a full-court game. (Louisiana Tech) has as many players on their team that could run track as can play basketball. They really showed their strength, and I am sure that is something they will depend on in the tournament."

Freshman guard Aarica Ray tied her career-high with 14 points, hitting four of seven three-pointers, while Amber Obaze added 10 points for Tech, which improved to 10-0 all-time in first round conference tournament games.

The biggest concern for Tech on the night came at the midway point of the opening half when Ford came down on a Boise State defenders foot, spraining her left ankle. The WAC Player of the Year had to be helped off the floor, returned late in the first half with the ankle taped and visibly limping, but then seemed to shake the injury off during the second half.

"It doesn't bother me that bad," Ford said. "I just have to shake it off and give it my all."

Mandy Welch led Boise State with 14 points while Jamie Hawkins added 13.

Tech plays its semifinal contest Friday at 2:30 p.m. against the winner of Tulsa vs. Hawaii, which tipped at 8:30 p.m.