Feb. 3, 2008
RUSTON - With four teams sitting in front of them in the current Western Athletic Conference standings, Monday night's showdown against Fresno State looms large for Louisiana Tech.
Tip-off for the game is set for 7 p.m. and the contest will be played at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Tech (10-10, 4-3 WAC) could pull to within one full game of the WAC lead with a win over the Bulldogs while Fresno State could take a big step towards its first WAC title in many years if it prevails.
"It's a big game in that if we win it, we are right back in the WAC race," said Tech head coach Chris Long. "I don't think its do or die, but it's certainly important. We will be ready."
The Bulldogs (12-9, 7-1 WAC) are the league's hottest team, having won 10 of their last 11 games and currently sit alone atop the conference standings with only one loss. Boise State, New Mexico State and Nevada are all tied for second place with two losses.
"Fresno State is playing with a lot of confidence right now, and they have a really good team," Long said. "They are athletic, and they do a good job of spreading you out. Pretty much everyone on their team can shoot the three so we are going to have to do a much better job defensively."
Fresno State dismantled the Lady Techsters in the first meeting of the year, prevailing 75-52 on Jan. 3 in Fresno. In that contest, the Bulldogs hit 12 three-pointers, including nine in a first half that saw Fresno State take a commanding 46-21 halftime lead.
Long said that although he was disappointed in his team's performance that night, he feels that loss really helped his basketball team in the long run.
"We are definitely a better team than when we played them the first time," Long said. "In fact, they helped us to become a better team. We will have to play much better in all phases of the game, and I'm confident we will."
Fresno State is led by senior guard Tierre Wilson, who is averaging 16.2 points a game and is considered the WAC's top WNBA prospect this year.
However, Wilson is far from a one-person show for the Bulldogs, as Jaleesa Ross (10.5 ppg, 51 three-pointers), Hayley Munro (8.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 60 assists), LaShaunte Stephens (7.7 ppg), Bailey Amundsen (7.5 ppg, 35 three-pointers) and Erica Henry (7.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg) all provide a balanced supporting cast.
The Bulldogs lead the WAC with 161 three-pointers made on the year.
Tech enters the game on the heels of a 90-53 win over Hawaii Saturday night. In that contest, the Lady Techsters led from start to finish in their most complete victory of the season.
Tech leads the all-time series against Fresno State 13-3, including a 6-0 mark in Ruston. Fresno State has won two in a row.
What: Fresno State (12-9, 7-1 WAC) at Louisiana Tech (10-10, 4-3) Where: Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, La. When: 7 p.m. on Monday Radio: ESPN 97.7 FM Internet Audio: www.espn977.com Internet Video: www.latechtv.com
