Nov. 24, 2009

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. - Louisiana Tech used a strong performance at the free throw line down the stretch to overcome 24 turnovers and down Arkansas State 71-59 Tuesday night at the Convocation Center.

Tech (3-0) hit 22-of-25 free throws in the second half including 14-of-16 over the final three minutes of the game to hold off a scrappy effort by the Red Wolves (2-4) who held a 29-26 halftime lead.

Sophomore guard Jasmine Bendolph recorded arguably the best game of her Tech career, scoring a game-high 16 points while grabbing four rebounds and recording three assists. Bendolph committed only one turnover despite being pressure full court most of the night by a plethora of Arkansas State defenders.

"I'm so proud of Jasmine," said Tech head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. "She didn't feel very well tonight but she didn't let it affect her on the court. She came over to me midway through the second half and said `Coach, I'm going to tough it out.' She showed a lot of toughness tonight."

After neither team was able to score in the first three minutes of the game, Tech finally got rolling and pulled out to a 12-4 lead at the 12:45 mark of the first half behind six early points from senior Shanavia Dowdell.

Leading 14-6, Tech then went cold as Arkansas State used a 12-0 run over a three minute stretch to grab an 18-14 lead as the Lady Techsters committed four turnovers and missed all three shot attempts during the spell.

A Kiara Young jumper at the 7:46 mark of the half snapped the scoreless drought but the Lady Techsters were unable to reclaim the lead as they entered the halftime locker room trailing 29-26. Fourteen first half turnovers by Tech led to 16 points by the Red Wolves.

"We didn't do a good job of taking care of the basketball tonight," Weatherspoon said. "But what I saw was a team that stuck with the game plan and stayed focused. We overcame a lot of adversity tonight and found a way to win."

Tech scored the first six points of the second half to take a 32-29 lead and although Arkansas State was never able to pull back ahead, the game remained tight. A Whitney Jones layup at the midway mark of the half gave Tech a 45-37 lead, matching its biggest of the game.

A Dowdell jumper with 4:35 to go in the game increased the Tech advantage to 57-48. It would be the last field goal of the game for the Lady Techsters as the final 14 points of the contest were scored at the free throw line.

In addition to Bendolph's offensive output, Adrienne Johnson and Jones each added 14 points while Dowdell chipped in with 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Johnson also pulled down 10 rebounds for her first double double of the year as the Lady Techsters dominated the glass, outrebounding Arkansas State 53-30.

Ebonie Jefferson scored 20 points for Arkansas State.

Tech returns to action Dec. 1 when it hosts 7th ranked LSU at 7 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.