Boxscore

RUSTON - Two games; two different ways to win.

After downing Ole Miss in the season opener behind great outside shooting and offensive fireworks, the 21st ranked Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters found another way to win on Sunday ? with defense.

Tech held Arkansas State to only 27 percent shooting for the game and downed the Lady Indians 67-50 Sunday afternoon at the Thomas Assembly Center.

"I'm proud of our defensive effort today," said Tech head coach Kurt Budke. "Until we're 100 percent healthy, we're going to have to get used to winning ugly games. That's what happened today; however, an ugly win is better than an ugly loss."

After building a 12-point halftime lead at 35-23, Tech held ASU to only 8-of-37 shooting in the second half to pull away for the victory.

"We're behind offensively there's no doubt about it," Budke said. "However, we played good defense and we will rely on that as long as we have to. We're still making mistakes but we will learn from them. This team will get better."

Tech guards Tasha Crain and Shan Moore each scored 14 points while Lakiste Barkus added 12 points although it was Moore who put the team on her back down the stretch.

After Arkansas State cut an 18-point second half Tech lead down to 53-45 at the 5:46 mark of the game, Moore scored seven straight points for the Lady Techsters. Her conventional three-point play with 4:15 remaining in the game gave Tech a 60-47 lead and the Lady Indians would get no closer.

"Tasha and Lakiste told me after the last game that it was my turn to step up," Moore said. "I didn't want to let them down so I picked up the pace."

Defensively, Tech held Arkansas State's two leading scorers - Ali Carter and Adrienne Davie who both came into the game averaging 14.0 points - to only nine and four points respectively and a combined 3-of-18 from the field.

"Tech's quickness and athletic ability caused us a lot of problems," said Arkansas State head coach Brian Boyer. "It was hard for us to get open looks. We were tentative to go inside because of their good defense in the post.

"Their team speed makes their defense look effortless, and they cover the court extremely well. They have a very talented basketball team."

For the game, Tech outrebounded Arkansas State 51-43 with 19 of the boards coming on the offensive end.

Rudy Sims led Arkansas State with 14 points while Zaneta Lane added 10.

Tech returns to action Tuesday night when it faces Mississippi State in Starkville at 7 p.m.