GameDay Central | Game Notes

RUSTON - With six teams tied for third place in the Conference USA standings and a total of nine teams separated by only one game, this week's two-game home stand for Louisiana Tech is important.

The Lady Techsters (8-8, 3-2 C-USA) begin the two-game home slate hosting North Texas (2-14, 1-4 C-USA) Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center. Tech will also host Rice Saturday at 6 p.m.

"Obviously I am very proud of our players for being tied for third in Conference USA," said Lady Techster head coach Tyler Summitt. "Obviously we look at it one game at a time. The rankings do not matter until the end. We are excited to be home and be in front of our own crowd. These are two very important games for us.

"The biggest thing about playing at home, you saw it at our last three home games, is that it is familiar rims, familiar fans and familiar places. You do not have to pack a suitcase. It is not as tiring. Our players really enjoy being at home. We love being in the TAC. When you look at our track record, especially for these seniors, we are a lot better at home. We are looking forward to it."

Senior forward Whitney Frazier agrees.

"Being a senior, I love playing at home in front of my family and our fans," Frazier said. "They just give us so much energy. That helps us a lot playing against conference opponents. We have to take it one game at a time. We have to stay focused and play the entire 40 minute game. Defense has to be our number one key."

Tech is coming off a split of its most recent road trip, recording a come-from-behind win over UAB while falling at Middle Tennessee.

"We feel like we had a fairly productive trip, by splitting," Summitt said. "We have a lot to get better at after that Middle Tennessee game. They really set the standard for Conference USA women's basketball. Along with Western Kentucky, those are the top two teams. We know where we have to strive for now."

Summitt and Co. will welcome a North Texas team that has struggled offensively this season. North Texas ranks last in Conference USA in scoring, averaging only 48.9 points per game - a big reason why the Eagles have lost nine of their 14 games by single digits.

Offensively, North Texas is shooting only 34 percent from the field, 34 percent from the three-point line and 54 percent from the free throw line - all dead last among the 14 Conference USA teams. However, the Eagles do rank No. 1 in the league in scoring defense, allowing only 57.3 points per game.

"North Texas is going to be a tough opponent," Summitt said. "They play hard and have a lot of different things that they can throw at you. Not only do we have to improve from our Middle Tennessee and UAB games, but we also have to look forward to scouting them and really getting to know their personnel. We will work on guarding their sets and getting better."

LA Tech leads the all-time series against North Texas 6-0, including a pair of wins last season. The Lady Techsters defeated the Eagles 77-59 in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament in El Paso last March in the last meeting.

Thursday night's 6:30 p.m. tipoff against North Texas is First Responders Night and Youth Night. Discounted $5 tickets are available for all first responders and their families. The tickets can be purchased directly through the LA Tech Ticket office by calling 318-257-3631 or emailing techtickets@latech.edu.

In addition to First Responders Night, all area youth wearing their youth team jersey to the game will receive free admission. Free Pizza will also be available to the first 200 LA Tech students.

Fans are also reminded that tickets for the 2015 Conference USA basketball tournament which will be hosted by UAB in Birmingham (March 11-14) are on sale for $180 which includes tickets to every game (both men's and women's sessions). To purchase your tickets to the tournament or to any Louisiana Tech basketball home game, call the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631, email techtickets@latech.edu or online at Click Here