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RUSTON -- Sophomore Tiara Davenport was not in Louisiana Tech's starting line Thursday night, the first time this season that Tyler Summitt has No. 24 on the bench to start the game.

Davenport responded. The Duncanville, Texas native scored a season-high 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Lady Techsters to an 82-63 win over FIU before 2,014 fans in Conference USA action at the Thomas Assembly Center.

"I thought T played with great energy tonight," Summitt said. "I don't understand why our players have to lose their starting role in order to be motivated to play. It's not just T. We've had to do to a number of players this year and each time they have responded.

"Great players are self-motivated. The competition motivates them. We have to get to the point where we are motivated by the fact we put this jersey on and we represent this program. I thought T responded and played maybe her best game of the year."

Playing just 23 minutes, Davenport hit 5-of-7 field goals, 1-of-1 three-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws while also converting on 4 of 5 and-ones during the game. She also drew two charges on the defensive end of the floor.

Davenport spearheaded a balanced offensive attack that saw four Lady Techsters score in double figures and 10 of the 11 that touched the floor score.

Junior guard Rochelle Vasquez gave Tech an early offensive boost, scoring nine of her 12 points in a first half that saw the Lady Techsters build a 36-22 halftime advantage. Vasquez hit 5-of-6 field goals, including a pair of three-pointers, missing her career-high by one point.

Brandi Wingate and Brooke Pumroy, who entered the game as LA Tech's top two scorers, each added 13 points in the win.

One game after shooting only 32 percent from the field in a 63-58 loss at Charlotte Saturday, Louisiana Tech recorded one of its best shooting nights of the season. Tech hit 50 percent (28-56) of its field goals, including 8-of-14 from the three-point line. The Lady Techsters hit 62 percent (16-26) from the field in the second half.

Tech (7-8, 2-2 C-USA) never trailed in the game. After FIU tied the game at 2-2 early, the Lady Techsters score four straight and eventually pushed the lead out to 19-10 at the end of the first quarter. The lead was 14 at the half and eventually stretched to as many as 28 with 6:21 to play in the fourth quarter.

Summitt and Co. also dominated on the glass, outrebounding FIU 48-29.

Taylor Shade and Kristian Hudson led FIU with 18 points each. Although the Panthers entered the game 2-12 overall and 0-3 in conference play, FIU had lost its three C-USA games by a total of 14 points, including only a 71-69 loss to WKU.

Tech returns to action Saturday when its hosts Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m.