RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech guard
Nastassja Levingston had ice water in her veins Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa with the game on the line.
Tech was trailing 61-56 with less than a minute to play and was reeling from a 15-0 Alabama run. The Lady Techsters hadn?t scored in six minutes and had missed their last eight shots.
None of that phased Levingston, who is nicknamed Tub. In fact, it motivated her to turn to the Tech bench and ask for her own number to be called on the insuing inbounds play. Techster head coach Chris Long nodded in agreement.
With a calm demeanor about her, Levingston took the pass and sank a 22-footer from the top of the key while being fouled.
?At the time, I thought we needed to score,? Levingston said. ?I was feeling my shot. I just looked over at (Coach Long) and signaled that I wanted to run that play. I knew the way they were sagging that I would be open. We called the play and I was able to hit the three.?
The four-point play brought Tech to within one and ultimately led to a victory. It was huge for the Techsters.
It was just par for the course for the Ruston native thus far this season.
?Tub?s provided a huge spark for us offensively,? Long said. ?She has made some incredible shots when we needed big baskets. She?s been able to deliver in the clutch. The Memphis and Alabama games come to mind.?
Levingston was use to being called upon to deliver the big shot during her high school career at Ruston High, when she was twice named all-state.
However, her collegiate resume was void of heroics until this season. After red-shirting as a true freshman, Levingston saw limited playing time her first three years, averaging a mere 2.1 points in 58 career games.
?It was very difficult, sitting and watching other people play,? Levingston said. ?However, I understood that there were other players who were better than me and they were the ones playing. I had to wait my time. When the opportunity would present itself, I had to go out and perform to the best of my ability.?
While many players who were used to the glamour of being the superstar in high school would have quit, Levingston had the character and dedication to continue working hard every day in practice. Her persistence has paid off.
?That?s what makes me the most happy,? Long said. ?She?s a fifth-year senior who didn?t get much time until last year. For Tub to stay with it says a lot about her. It?s great as her coach to see her get rewarded for sticking it out. I?m happy for her. She?s really helping this team.?
Through the first six games, Levingston is averaging 10.5 points and 2.8 rebounds a game in 19 minutes of action. Entering this year, her career high was 12 points scored last season in a win at Idaho. She?s already eclipsed that three times, including netting 17 points in the win over Bama.
?(Being able to contribute this year) means a lot to me,? Levingston said. ?I?ve always wanted to be a Lady Techster. To finally be able to get out there and show what I can do is exciting. Four years passed and I?m finally getting my chance so I?m going to give it all I have.?
The 5-foot-7 guard is shooting 45 percent from the field, the best of any Techster perimeter player, and 42 percent from the three-point line. And on at least two occasions, she?s almost single-handedly willed Tech to victory.
Levingston was unsure of her role entering the season. However, it didn?t take long for the Tech coaching staff to find it. After opening the season with 17 points in a loss at Western Kentucky, she came up big for the Lady Techsters in the championship game of the Memphis Thanksgiving Classic.
With her team in a battle with the host school, Levingston scored 13 of Tech?s final 21 points in an 82-77 win.
Levingston?s ability to shoot the basketball has always been her strength. It?s been other phases of her game that has kept her minutes down until this season.
?She?s definitely improved,? Long said. ?I think she lets the game come to her more. She still occasionally tries to do more than she should, but that?s part of her aggressiveness which I?m not against. Defensively, she needs to keep being solid and not take gambles. If she does that, she will stay on the floor.?
However, as big as her offense has been for Tech, Long says it?s her leadership ability with the young Lady Techster team that has been invaluable to this point.
?She has really started to step up from a leadership role,? Long said. ?It started in the second exhibition game. You saw it then. I still want her to take an even bigger role. Whether on the floor or not, whether scoring or not, she needs to provide a consistent leadership role for this team.?
Through six games, Levingston is on a roll. Tech fans hope it continues.
?I have been here five years, and I?m the only one on the team who has been to the NCAA Tournament,? Levingston said. ?I know what it takes. I?m trying to be more of a leader. I?m trying to tell the younger players that if they aren?t playing right now, it?s for a reason. I?ve been there. In the end we all want to get to the NCAA Tournament. If that means waiting to play, then (each player) should just go with their role and be a team player.?
After a four-year wait, Levingston appears ready to shoot her way (and Tech) back to the NCAA Tournament.
