Nov. 19, 2009

THIBODAUX, La. - One week after recording a lopsided victory over Centenary in the season opener, Louisiana Tech will face the Nicholls State Colonels at 6:30 p.m. at Stopher Gym.

The contest can be heard on ESPN 97.7 FM with the pregame show beginning at 6 p.m.

LA Tech (1-0) leads the all-time series against Nicholls State 14-0, including a 4-0 mark in Thibodaux. Although the Lady Techsters defeated the Colonels 90-33 last year in Ruston, the Nicholls State roster only contains three players from that team.

Nicholls State head coach Dobee Plaisance welcomes seven newcomers, including five junior college transfers and two true freshmen. The Colonels (0-1) lost their season opener Wednesday night at New Orleans by a score of 60-50 but the seven newcomers accounted for 49 points in the game.

Junior guard Rischanda Bickham led the way with 15 points while sophomore guard Jasmine Hoskins added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Nicholls State forced 31 turnovers in the game but hit only 31 percent of its field goals.

Lady Techster head coach Teresa Weatherspoon saw four players score in double figures in her team's victory over the Ladies, including a game-high 29 points from junior forward Adrienne Johnson who hit 14-of-19 field goals.

Junior Brietta Thomas added a career-high 22 points while sophomore Kiara Young recorded her first collegiate double double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Whitney Jones added 14 points.

Reigning Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year Shanavia Dowdell will look to rebound from a sub-par effort in the opener that saw her battle foul trouble while scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds.

After dressing only eight players in the win over Centenary, the Lady Techsters will welcome back junior guard Tarkeisha Wysinger and senior guard Tiawana Pringle to the bench.

LA Tech is 124-25 all-time against current members of the Southland Conference, including a 3-1 mark last season.