RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech will open exhibition play Monday night when the Lady Techsters host Dillard at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Head coach Chris Long and Co. will welcome a team that consists of seven newcomers and only six returning letter winners from last year?s squad that posted a 17-13 mark.

Long said he is eager to see his team in action.

?I?m curious to see how are newcomers will react in a game situation,? Long said. ?That?s what exhibition games are for. We?re not going to be flawless. It?ll give us something to look at so we can see what we need to work and concentrate on.?

The Lady Techster roster consists of only one player who was a member of Tech?s NCAA Tournament team of 2005-06 and has only a total of five combined collegiate starts.

?As a team, I want to see how we look offensively,? Long said. ?How we run our break, our sets; how we execute. We?ve been practicing against ourselves. This will give us a better look.?

The Techsters will be without two projected starters as neither Whitney Jones (NCAA Transfer rule) nor Sidney Stewart (injury) will suite up for action.

?It?s unfortunate that Whitney and Sidney won?t be able to play,? Long said. ?However, it will give some other kids a chance to play. We won?t be at full strength so it won?t be a true indication.?

Long said he was still contemplating who would start at the three guard positions Monday night although he was sure that senior Jo Sneed and sophomore Shanavia Dowdell would get the nod in the post.

Season ticket holders will be admitted for free while tickets will be sold for $5.

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