FRESNO, Calif. - Year No. 1 of the Stacy Johnson-Klein era at Fresno State was a huge success. Year No. 2 has been a huge challenge.

The former Louisiana Tech assistant coach and current Fresno State head coach will welcome her old team Thursday night as the eighth-ranked Lady Techsters (15-2, 8-1) face the Bulldogs (7-12, 1-8) at 9 p.m. at the Save Mart Center.

The game will match two teams headed in different directions recently as Tech has won seven straight contests and currently sits in a two-way tie for first place in the Western Athletic Conference while Fresno State has lost seven straight games and sits alone in the cellar of the league standings.

However, despite Fresno State's struggles, Tech head coach Kurt Budke knows the challenges his team could face.

"There is no doubt that they are experiencing some growing pains right now," Budke said. "They have been starting three freshmen at times and anytime you do that, you are going to struggle. However, I've reminded our players of last year's game out here. I haven't forgotten it, and I'm not letting our players forget it."

No one can blame Budke for his flashbacks of last year's contest in Fresno, a game that saw Louisiana Tech jump out to a 23-4 lead before watching the Bulldogs fight back and take a lead over the Lady Techsers early in the second half. Tech eventually won 63-53.

"I know that they will probably have one of their biggest crowds of the year for the game, and they will be playing a Top 10 team in their new arena," Budke said. "They will be ready to play and we expect it to be a battle."

Fresno State, which won 21 games last year and advanced to the Final Four of the National Invitation Tournament, lost a number of seniors to graduation and Johnson-Klein has felt the absence of senior leadership at times through the losing streak.

Tech, which currently is tied with Rice for the top spot in the WAC standings, continues to win with a balanced offensive attack that has four players averaging doubl figures and a tenacious man-to-man defense that is forcing over 25 turnovers a game. Not a good sign for a Fresno State team that leads the conference with 426 turnovers this season.

The Lady Techsters lead the all-time series against Fresno State 7-0, including an 81-59 victory against the Bulldogs at the Thomas Assembly Center Jan. 10.

The game can be heard on KXKZ-FM 107.5 and via the Internet at www.z1075fm.com.