Feb. 16, 2012

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Weatherspoon Postgame Audio

RUSTON -- Whitney Frazier and Whitney Jones each scored 21 points and Louisiana Tech overcame a 13-point second half deficit as the Lady Techsters defeated San Jose State 73-68 Thursday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Jones scored 15 second half points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 3:34 to play and hit two free throws with nine seconds to play to seal the victory as Tech remained perfect all-time against San Jose State in 22 games.

Tech (14-11, 7-3 WAC) led 29-27 at the half but saw San Jose State come out of the locker room on a 23-8 run as Ta'Rea Cunnigan's layup with 11:57 to play gave the Spartans a 50-37 advantage.

Teresa Weatherspoon called a timeout and her message to her team worked. A Jasmine Bendolph jumper ignited what turned into a 30-10 run as a pair of Jones free throws with 57 seconds to play gave Tech its biggest lead of the game at 67-60.

San Jose State (9-15, 4-5 WAC) wouldn't go away quietly as two free throws by Sara Plavljanin with 18 seconds remaining cut the deficit to 70-68. After Angie Felton hit 1-of-2 free throws, Plavljanin misfired on a jumper and Jones pulled down the defensive rebound and was fouled. Her two free throws sealed the win.

Jones finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks while Frazier added 21 points and seven rebounds. Shantale Bramble-Donaldson added her seventh double double of the year with 11 points and 12 rebounds and Bendolph added eight points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Plavljanin led SJSU with 22 points while Cunnigan added 19 points and Brittany Johnson 17 points.

For the game, Tech shot 41 percent (23-56) from the field, only 5-of-18 from the three-point line and 22-of-33 from the free throw line. San Jose State hit 42 percent (25-59) from the field, 2-of-11 from the three-point line and 16-of-22 from the stripe.

The Lady Techsters return to action Saturday at 6 p.m. when they host Hawaii.