GameDay Central | Game Notes

BOCA RATON, Florida - Louisiana Tech will look to rebound following a pair of home losses last week when the Lady Techsters travel to Florida to face Florida Atlantic Thursday at 6 p.m. CT at FAU Arena.

Tech (11-11, 6-5 C-USA) dropped games against UAB and Middle Tennessee, marking only the second and third home losses of the year for the Lady Techsters.

"I think we do have to learn from these two losses," said Tech head coach Tyler Summitt. "Our offense has to be a lot better, especially our execution. There were times we looked like we were back at the beginning of the year. We have to get back to pushing the basketball in transition and then executing in the half court."

Louisiana Tech will be back at full strength Thursday night after the reinstatement of guards Chrisstasia Walter and Kanedria Andrews following a one-game suspension. Despite its lack of offense in the losses to UAB and Middle Tennessee - Tech averaged only 49.0 points in the two games - LA Tech still ranks as one of the top offensive teams in Conference USA (70.1 ppg).

Senior forward Whitney Frazier (14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) enters Thursday night's game needing only eight more points to become just the 19th player in LA Tech women's basketball history to reach the 1,500 point plateau. Kelia Shelton (13.1 ppg) is the only other Tech player averaging double figures although Brandi Wingate (7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and Kevione Moten (6.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg) have been consistent offensive contributors over the last month.

Florida Atlantic (11-10, 5-5 C-USA) enters the contest only a half-game behind LA Tech in the Conference USA standings. The Owls are 8-3 at home this season and are a tough defensive match-up for opponents.

"I think FAU is a very tough team," Summitt said. "We have to guard the three-point line. It will be similar to MTSU who also likes to shoot a lot of threes. We have to guard that five out motion. We may zone them a little and try to limit their movement on offense. We will throw a lot of different defenses at them. We have to be ready to lock down defensively."

Shaneese Bailey (16.3 ppg) and Ali Gorrell (13.5 ppg, 15-54 three-pointers) leads Florida Atlantic offensively while Malia Kency (8.0 ppg, 39-118 3-pointers), Morgan Robinson (7.5 ppg, 21-76 3-pointers) and Kat Wright (4.5 ppg, 21-77 3-pointers) are the top three-point threats.

The Owls have struggled defensively this season, allowing 72. 4 points per game while being outrebounded by almost eight boards a contest.

Tech leads the all-time series against Florida Atlantic 2-0, including last year's 64-63 win in Ruston.

The contest can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network with the pregame show starting at 5:30 p.m.

Fans can follow the Lady Techsters through social media avenues, including Twitter (@LATechWBB), Instagram (@LATechWBB) and Facebook (/LATechWBB).