Final Stats

UTSA Box

Season Stats

RUSTON - Chrisstasia Walter scored a season-high 24 points and Kelia Shelton added 23 points to lead Louisiana Tech to a hard-fought 79-74 win over UTSA Saturday night before 2,410 fans at the Thomas Assembly Center.

With the win, Tech (7-7, 2-1 C-USA) recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season. UTSA (6-10, 1-3 C-USA) lost for the third time in four league games with two in overtime and tonight's five-point setback.

Shelton scored 17 first half points to lead the Lady Techsters to a 41-33 halftime advantage and Walter scored 15 second half points as LA Tech held off the Roadrunners, who tied the game at 71-71 with just under four minutes to play.

"I am proud of our team," said Tech head coach Tyler Summitt. "UTSA is a much better team than their record indicates. They have lost some tough games recently and they are well-coached. This one wasn't pretty but it is a good win. We had to overcome a lot of adversity, starting with a tough-minded UTSA team."

Tech won despite outstanding performances by UTSA forwards Tesha Smith and Manasha Bell who combined to score 34 points and grab 18 rebounds. Smith came off the bench to lead the Roadrunners with 20 points while Bell added a double double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Kamra King scored 13 points and added five assists.

However, Tech answered every run the Roadrunners made. After Kanedria Andrews, who tied her career-high with nine rebounds in the game, hit a three-pointer as the first half buzzer sounded to give Tech a 41-33 advantage, UTSA quickly seized the momentum in the second half.

A Smith layup followed by free throws by Ashley Spaletta cut the Tech lead to 51-50 with 14:22 to play. Tech freshman Tiara Davenport, who would hit a crucial jumper late in the game, responded with a three-pointer as Tech pushed the lead back to seven.

The game remained close and UTSA finally tied the score at 69-69 on a jumper by Mathilde Hergott with 6:32 remaining in the contest. Walter and King then exchanged free throws as the game remained knotted at 71-71.

However, Walter answered hitting a pair of free throws to give Tech a two-point lead with just over four minutes remaining. Davenport then drilled an 18-footer from the top of the key one possession later to up the advantage to 75-71.

UTSA would get no closer than three the rest of the way as Tech won for the seventh time in eight meetings between the two teams.

Whitney Frazier added 12 points and five rebounds and moved into 25th place on the Tech career scoring list.

Tech returns to action Thursday when it travels to face UAB at 7 p.m.