RUSTON ? Louisiana Tech head coach Chris Long announced Saturday that his women?s basketball program would not be playing in the Women?s National Invitation Tournament this year.

Long?s announcement came three days after Tech fell 63-57 to New Mexico State in the Quarterfinals of the 2007 Western Athletic Conference Tournament, ending the Lady Techsters hopes for a 26th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Jim Oakes was contacted this week by the WNIT about the school?s interest in participating in this year?s tournament, although no official bids will be extended until following the NCAA Tournament selection show on Monday evening.

However, with Boise State?s win over New Mexico State Saturday in the championship game of the WAC Tournament, Louisiana Tech was assured an ?automatic bid? by WNIT rules tying the Broncos for the regular season title.

?Louisiana Tech women?s basketball has been about playing in the NCAA Tournament,? Long said. ?We did not do enough this season to reach that goal. With all due respect to the WNIT, we are not interested in an invitation.

?The returners and newcomers will fight to get back to the NCAA Tournament and begin a new streak next year. Though I?m terribly disappointed in not reaching the NCAA Tournament this season, I?m excited about the possibilities for next year?s team.?

After starting the season 2-7, Louisiana Tech bounced back to win 15 of its next 20 games and capture a share of the 2007 WAC regular season title before falling to the Aggies Wednesday night.

Tech will add four high school prep stars signed in November as well as Baylor transfer Whitney Jones to next year?s team along with eight returning letterwinners.