RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech will begin fall practice this Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center as head coach Chris Long and Co. begin preparations for their season opener Nov. 20 at Western Kentucky.

Saturday?s two-hour session will be the first on the newly-installed Karl Malone Court and is open to the general public.

?I always look forward to the start of practice but this season even a little more,? Long said. ?It will be the first time on the new floor and we will be breaking in six new players. We will have to come a long way in a short time with all of our youth, but we will get there and it begins Saturday.?

Long and the Lady Techsters welcome seven newcomers to the roster this year, including Baylor transfer Whitney Jones, junior college transfers Shordy Mulford and Keshia Warren, and freshmen Adrienne Johnson, Brietta Thomas, Tarkeisha Wysinger and Sidney Stewart.

Tech must replace all five starters from a year ago.