Nov. 26, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON -- Tiawana Pringle scored a season-high 19 points to lead five players in double figures as Louisiana Tech defeated Nicholls State 90-33 Wednesday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.

The Lady Techsters (2-2) jumped out to an early 18-2 lead thanks in large part to a full-court press from the opening tip and Nicholls State never threatened as Tech snapped a two-game losing streak.

"I loved our intensity from the start," said Tech head coach Chris Long. "I thought we were able to get some production from our full-court press. I thought we took good shots tonight, and we were able to play a lot of people which is always good."

Pringle hit 8-of-10 field goals, including 3-of-4 from the three-point line, and came up just one point shy of her career-high of 20 points scored last year in a win over Stephen F. Austin.

"In practice she is one of the best shooters I've seen with a great stroke," Long said. "It's good to see her take that from the practice floor to the game. We need offensive production from her on a nightly basis."

Tech shot 54 percent (19-35) from the field in the opening half, including hitting 4-of-7 three-pointers as the Lady Techsters entered the halftime locker room leading 47-16.

Shanavia Dowdell, who added 16 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two steals in 23 minutes, led Tech with 12 first half points as the Techsters built the insurmountable 31-point halftime lead.

Tech opened the second half by scoring 13 of the first 15 points as Long emptied his bench although the production never slowed down.

"We are going to need our bench to play a big role this year, and this type of game gave some of those kids an opportunity to play a lot of minutes and gain some confidence," Long said.

Sophomore guard Brietta Thomas scored a career-high 12 points, hitting 5-of-6 field goals, as the Tech bench outscored the Nicholls State bench 28-6.

Adrienne Johnson added 14 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, four blocks and three assists in 30 minutes while Whitney Jones chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Tech held Nicholls State (0-2) to only 19 percent (13-69) from the field while forcing 31 turnovers in the game.

Christie Bryant and Jasmine Hoskins led the Colonels with six points each.

Tech returns to action Sunday when it hosts Western Kentucky at 2 p.m.