RUSTON ? It?ll be Showdown Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center tonight (Jan. 28) when Louisiana Tech (13-4, 5-1 WAC) hosts Fresno State (14-4, 6-0 WAC) at 7 p.m.

The top two teams in the current Western Athletic Conference standings square off for the second time this year as the Lady Techsters try to keep from being swept by a league opponent for the first time since Lamar accomplished the feat against Tech during the 1990-91 season.

Fresno State, owners of the nation?s 12th longest winning streak at seven games, won the season?s first meeting between the two programs 68-59 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno Jan. 14.

However, the Bulldogs face a Tech team that has won 16 straight at the Thomas Assembly Center and that hasn?t lost a home regular season conference game since January of 1992.

The bottom line is a Tech win puts the Techsters in a tie for first place in the WAC while a loss would put the Techsters two games behind Fresno State with only nine to play.

?For us, it?s a chance to get back to first place, and get back to controlling our own destiny in the WAC race,? said Tech head coach Chris Long. ?We always want to defend our home court, and for all of these reasons, it?s a huge game.?

Head coach Adrian Wiggins Bulldogs enter the TAC on the heels of a 77-61 win over New Mexico State Thursday night in Las Cruces. Fresno State hasn?t tasted defeat since a 77-67 setback at Texas Tech on Dec. 29.

Led by a pair of conference player of the year candidates in forward Amy Parish (15.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and guard Mirenda Swearingen (13.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Fresno State has won its six WAC games by an average of over 14 points a contest.

Guards Chantella Perera (11.1 ppg, 25 threes) and Tierre Wilson (10.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) give the Bulldogs a balanced offensive attack which features one of the most athletic lineups in the country.

?They are a talented basketball team at a lot of positions,? Long said. ?They are very athletic, and they are playing with a lot of confidence right now.?

In the first meeting of the year, turnovers in the final 10 minutes of the game ultimately cost Tech a chance to pull off the win as the Lady Techsters saw a 48-40 lead evaporate down the stretch.

Long?s team also boasts one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the country with five players averaging double figures led by Tasha Williams (13.0 ppg). Junior guard Shan Moore (10.6 ppg) has been Tech?s top offensive threat in WAC action, averaging 14.2 points and 6.3 rebounds a game while hitting 48 percent of her field goals and 22-of-22 free throws.

Tech leads the all-time series 11-1, including a 4-0 mark in Ruston.

The contest can be heard on KXKZ-FM 107.5 and via the Internet at www.z1075fm.com with the pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m. Tech fans worldwide can also watch the game over the Internet through WAC TV by logging onto www.latechsports.com.


Promotions Planned for Tech/Fresno State Game

RUSTON ? The first 500 fans through the Thomas Assembly Center doors Saturday night will receive a free Lady Techster spirit towel as part of a promotional package set for the showdown between the top two teams in the Western Athletic Conference.

In addition to the spirit towels, Saturday night is also Family Night as every youngster attending the game will receive a free beanie baby while the first 100 youngsters 12 years or younger will receive a card for a free Pizza Inn buffet.

As part of the WAC?s Play Up Tour which will be in town for Saturday, free mini-basketballs will be thrown into the crowd throughout the course of the game. One lucky Tech student will also get an opportunity to qualify to win a trip for two to the 2006 WAC Tournament in Reno.

For ticket information, call the Tech Ticket Office at 257-3631. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.