EL PASO, Texas - Something's got to give Thursday night when sixth-ranked Louisiana Tech faces UTEP at 8 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center as the game features the top offensive team in the Western Athletic Conference against the top defensive squad.

The Lady Techsters (20-2, 13-1 WAC) are ranked No. 1 in the WAC and No. 2 in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 84.2 points per game, while UTEP (14-10, 9-6) ranks No. 1 in the conference and No. 19 in the country in scoring defense, allowing only 56.4 points a contest.

"I think their size causes most people problems," said Tech head coach Kurt Budke. "They can put a large lineup on the floor if they want to and their guards are quick enough to keep people from getting to the basket. I think they do as good a job as anyone in this league of taking the paint away and that concerns us."

UTEP's ability to "take the paint away" will definitely by tested by the Tech frontline of seniors Trina Frierson and Amisha Carter, who combined to score 62 points and grab 28 rebounds in the Lady Techsters 89-79 win over SMU Saturday. The pair lead the WAC in scoring as Carter averages 17.5 points and Frierson is close behind at 17.0 while guards Amber Obaze (12.4 ppg) and Erica Smith-Taylor (12.2 ppg) provide scoring from the outside.

Tech is currently tied with Rice atop the WAC standings with 13-1 marks and a possible showdown for the league title is only two wins away. After its current two-game road trip at UTEP and at Boise State Saturday, the Lady Techsters return home to host Rice March 4.

However, Budke knows his team will have its hands full against UTEP and the second-year head coach says anyone who doesn't think the Miners a dangerous team, especially at home, should look at the Miners Jan. 10 win at the Haskins Center.

"What people need to understand right away is that Rice's only loss in conference play was at UTEP by 16 points," Budke said. "UTEP didn't just beat Rice, but they beat them by double digits at home. A win over us also puts them in great position to finish in third place in the conference. This is an important game for both teams."

Tech leads the all-time series with UTEP 5-0, including a 75-58 win over the Miners Jan. 31 in Ruston. However, in the Lady Techsters two victories in El Paso the past two seasons, Tech has only won by 14 and 15 points.

The game can be heard on KXKZ-FM 107.5 and via the Internet at www.z1075fm.com with the pregame show starting at 7:30 p.m.