HUNTSVILLE, Texas ? Louisiana Tech continues non-conference play Saturday when the Lady Techsters hope to snap a five-game losing streak when they face Sam Houston State at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum at 5 p.m.
Head coach Chris Long?s team hasn?t play since a 70-60 loss to Arkansas-Little Rock Dec. 21 and the third-year Techster leader thinks the week-long break is exactly what his team needed.
?We had played a lot of games in a short period of time and there is no doubt we needed the break,? Long said. ?At same time I thought we improved in some areas against UALR and I hope we can carry it over. We?ve had a couple of good practices since returning from Christmas break and I think we will continue to improve as a team.?
Since winning four of its first six games to start the year, Tech (4-7) has lost five straight since defeating Alabama 62-61 on Dec. 5. During that time the Lady Techsters have struggled shooting the basketball.
Long thinks much of that has to do with his young team losing some of its confidence and knows a win could cure the shooting woes.
?Confidence can do so much for your team,? Long said. ?We need a win. Getting a win would provide some much needed confidence, not only for our team but for each individual. We need to start playing and shooting with confidence. It?s important we get on a streak before we start WAC play.?
With the exception of sophomore guard
Whitney Jones who is most likely done for the season, Long will have a full compliment of players for the contest as senior
Nastassja Levingston returns from her suspension and freshman
Sidney Stewart looks to see action in only her second game of the year.
Sam Houston State (1-10) is also mired in a five-game losing streak after posting its only win of the season against Western Illinois (72-69 on Nov. 24). The Bearkats are led by junior center Lydia Gonzalez (12.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and sophomore guard Whitney Smith (12.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg).
The Bearkats have faced a tough non-conference schedule, losing games to Texas, Arkansas, Auburn, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Southern Mississippi.
What: Louisiana Tech (4-7) at Sam Houston State (1-10)
Where: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Hunstville, Texas
When: Saturday at 5 p.m.
Radio: ESPN 97.7 FM
Internet Audio: www.espn977.com
