GameDay Central | Game Notes

RUSTON - Louisiana Tech hopes to do the Texas two-step Saturday night when the Lady Techsters host Rice at 6 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.

For the second time in three weeks, the Lady Techsters are looking to sweep a two-game home-stand from a pair of Texas-based schools. Head coach Tyler Summitt and Co. defeated North Texas 92-57 Thursday night as they welcome the Owls (6-11, 1-5 C-USA) who are mired in a five-game losing streak.

Three weekends ago, LA Tech swept UTEP and UTSA in Ruston. Tech is currently 4-2 in Conference USA play, tied with Southern Miss for third place in the league standings.

Summitt was impressed with many aspects of his team's 35-point win over North Texas and understands the importance of Saturday's contest against the Owls.

"I am proud that we could play that many players and sub in and out at will against North Texas," he said. "It will be good going into Rice with fresher legs. That is a tough team we are about to play. We would love to be 5-2 going into Western Kentucky and maintain this third place spot in Conference USA.

"You can throw out Rice's record. They might be 1-5 in league play, but they have lost four of those five by seven points or fewer. They have been in every conference game so far. They will be well-coached and I'm sure they are hungry for a win."

The Lady Techsters are 5-1 at the Thomas Assembly Center this season, averaging 82.2 points per game and shooting 43 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three-point line. In four Conference USA home games, Tech is shooting an eye-popping 49 percent (33-67) from beyond the arc.

Tech continues to get balanced scoring throughout its lineup. Although Whitney Frazier (15.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Kelia Shelton (14.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) continue to be the main offensive threats, the Lady Techsters have seen nine of their 10 roster players score in double figures at least once this season. Eight of the 10 have led the team in scoring at least once.

LA Tech's bench continues to producing, outscoring the opponents reserves 511-300 through the first 17 games of the year. Tech's bench produced 41 points in the win over North Texas on Thursday.

Rice enters the game having dropped five straight decisions since opening Conference USA play with an overtime win at UTSA. The Owls have lost numerous close games, falling to UTEP (54-51), North Texas (53-48), Old Dominion (62-55), Charlotte (62-59) and Southern Miss (65-54).

Similar to North Texas, Rice has struggled offensively at times this year, averaging only 58.9 points per game, but plays tough defense, surrendering only 60.2 points a contest. Jasmine Goodwin (10.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Maya Hawkins (9.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Christal Porter (8.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg) are the Owls top offensive threats.

Saturday's 6 p.m. tipoff against Rice will be Military Appreciation Day as all current and former military members with a valid military ID (and their families) will receive free admission to the game. A Kids Bootcamp for all area youth will be held following the game by the Louisiana Tech ROTC. Free Pizza will 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