GameDay Central | Game Notes

RUSTON - Coming off its most impressive offensive performance of the year, Louisiana Tech welcomes UTSA to the Thomas Assembly Center Saturday at 6 p.m. for the "I Back Pat" Night in support of the Pat Summitt Foundation.

LA Tech (6-7, 1-1 C-USA) defeated UTEP 90-72 on Thursday night, marking the first time the Lady Techsters have eclipsed the 90-point plateau in the past 58 games. UTSA (6-9, 1-2 C-USA) enters the contest after a 69-60 loss in overtime at Southern Mississippi on Thursday night. The Roadrunners two losses in league play have both come in overtime (lost 62-58 to Rice in OT).

"UTSA is a scrappy team," said LA Tech head coach Tyler Summitt following Thursday night's win. "I watched some film on them this morning. They are a little similar to UTEP, but they are guard oriented and can shoot deep three's. We are really going to have to know where the shooters are, they can drive on you and run different defenses. We will probably see a 2-3 zone. (Our win over UTEP) was one of our better performances against a 2-3, but when you shoot 58 percent from the three-point line, that could beat any defense."

Kelia Shelton (14.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Whitney Frazier (15.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg) continue to pace Louisiana Tech offensively. Shelton scored a game-high 28 points against the Miners, including 25 points in the first half. Shelton joined an elite group of LA Tech players that have ever scored 25 points or more in half (Whitney Frazier, Sheila Ethridge).

Frazier scored 19 points against UTEP, marking the sixth straight game she has scored 15 or more points. In all six of the games, the senior has shot 50 percent or better from the field. Frazier needs just five more points to pass Cheryl Ford and move into 25th place on the LA Tech career scoring list.

Tech's bench also continues to produce on a nightly basis. LA Tech's reserves have outscored the opponents reserves in 12 of the 13 games this year as the Lady Techster bench players are averaging over 30 points per night. Summitt and Co. are averaging over 82 points per game during the past four contests.

UTSA is one of the top defensive teams in Conference USA, ranking No. 3 in scoring defense (57.7 ppga), No. 4 in field goal percentage defense (.386) and No.4 in steals (10.5 spg). The Roadrunners struggle offensively at times, averaging only 59.3 points a game which ranks next to last among C-USA teams.

Saturday's game is the "I Back Pat" promotion as all LA Tech fans are encouraged to wear purple to the game (the official color of the Pat Summitt Foundation). Fans can purchase Pat Summitt Foundation wrist bands for $2 while a picture of Pat and Tyler Summitt will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to the foundation.

"When my mom was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it was actually my wife AnDe who had the idea to start a foundation," Tyler Summitt said. "We felt like it was really God's plan to use this for good by starting the Pat Summitt foundation. We have the "I Back Pat" nights that are the basketball events that will benefit the foundation. Anybody that comes out and supports, we would be so appreciative. Hopefully it is a good game as well."

Prior to Saturday's contest, all LA Tech Kids Club members are invited to a pizza party with Champ starting at 5 p.m. (members should enter the TAC on the south side of the arena - Door 27). Following the game, all kids sixth grade and under are invited to participate in a post-game basketball clinic on the court with some of the Lady Techster players.

Doors to the arena will open at 4:30 p.m. and the Tech Ticket Office number is 318-257-3631.

Lady Techster fans can follow the team through social media avenues, including Twitter (@LATechWBB, @LATechSports), Facebook (/LATechWBB, /LATechAthletics) and Instagram (@LATechWBB).