Jan. 13, 2012

Box Score

Postgame Audio

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech used a balanced offensive attack and forced 23 turnovers to overcome a poor shooting night as the Lady Techsters downed Idaho 66-54 Thursday night in the Western Athletic Conference opener before 4,472 fans at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Tech (8-8, 1-0 WAC) hit only 32 percent (22-68) of its field goals in the game, but outscored the Vandals (5-12, 0-1 WAC) 17-4 on points off of turnovers. The Lady Techster bench also outscored the Idaho bench 37-11 in the victory as Tech improved to 14-0 all-time against Idaho.

Despite the victory, LA Tech head coach Teresa Weatherspoon was far from satisfied.

"There is a lot to work on," Weatherspoon said. "It's more of the mental approach to the game. You can use as many excuses as you want. We had 14 great days of practice and this is the effort and energy we give? This wasn't what we were looking for. There are a lot of things we have to correct."

Part of LA Tech's offensive struggles were due to the Vandals blocking a record 15 shots against the Lady Techsters, including seven by Ashley Walters and five by Alyssa Charlston. The 15 blocks broke the previous opponent record of 14 set three times, the last time by Tulsa in 2001-02.

"Over and over again, we were asking in the huddle to work the ball, move the ball, make them defend for 30 seconds, go from one option to the next," Weatherspoon said. "We can't just take one dribble and throw something up and let them block it. We did that. Frustration set in, and it took us out of our game."

After Idaho took what would be its only lead of the entire game at 6-5 on a layup by Ganeaya Rogers at the 17:38 mark of the first half, Tech scored six quick points as Kiara Young's jumper with 14:23 upped the Lady Techsters advantage to 11-6. With the score 15-10 just over midway through the opening half, Tech's bench came on strong scoring every point in a 15-4 run as Kanedria Andrew's first collegiate three-pointer with 5:00 minutes to play made the score 30-14.

Tech would take a 36-23 lead into the halftime locker room as the Lady Techsters reserves scored 24 points and 11 of 12 players scored in the opening half. By the end of the game all 12 Tech players had entered the scoring column.

"All of my players played their tails off for 14 days (in practice)," Weatherspoon said. "The way they practice and performed, you give them an opportunity to play and experience what it's like between those lines. That's important. Everyone is important on this team. To have the opportunity to play today in a crucial game - the first game of conference - it's big to be able to do that; to gain that experience."

Idaho wouldn't go away quietly in the second half as the Vandals used a 9-2 run to open the final 20 minutes of action as Rogers layup at the 15:25 mark cut the deficit to 38-32. After missing eight of its first nine shots in the second half, Tech finally found some offensive rhythm as Shantale Bramble-Donaldson's bucket ignited a 10-0 run.

Bramble-Donaldson, who was saddled with three fouls in the first half, scored 10 of her 12 points after the intermission as her two free throws at the 8:21 mark of the game gave the Lady Techsters their biggest lead of the night at 54-35. Idaho would get no closer than 12 the rest of the way.

In addition to Bramble-Donaldson's 12, Angie Felton added 11 points and Tavasha Anderson 10 points while Jasmine Bendolph ended with a game-high nine assists.

Charlston led Idaho with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Stacey Barr added 11 points.

The Lady Techsters return to action Saturday when they host Utah State at 6 p.m. in the first game of a basketball doubleheader with the Bulldogs.