RUSTON – Louisiana Tech opens the season Thursday when the Lady Techsters host LSU-Alexandria in the annual Education Day Game at 11:30 a.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.

More than 3,000 local elementary school kids are expected to converge on the Tech home court for the contest which can be heard on KNBB 97.7 FM with the pregame show starting at 11 a.m. Fans can also watch the game streamed live with a subscription to CUSATV.com.

"This is one of our favorite games of the year," said Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. "It's definitely one of the loudest games of the year. Sometimes I'm not sure they know what they are cheering, for but they all have fun and that's what matters.

"It's a great opportunity for our players to be a good example of what it is like to be a good teammate and to be passionate about something. How to compete. How to handle success. How to handle failure. Anytime we can encourage and educate young people, I think it's a great opportunity for our team. We want to make it the best possible experience for these young people."

The Lady Techsters boast a 14-member roster that includes seven newcomers and seven returning letter winners, including three returning starters. Tech is minus its top two scorers from a year ago with the graduation of guards Kierra Anthony and Taylor Stahly.

This marks the fourth straight year that the Lady Techsters have hosted LSU-Alexandria, an NAIA school that enters the contest with a 0-1 record after a 65-59 loss to Dillard in its season opener. Tech leads the series 3-0 with all three wins coming by 40 points or more, including a 112-70 victory last season.

Stoehr knows this a great opportunity for her team in a lot of ways.

"I think for our seven newcomers it's the first time they will put on the actual uniform and run out of the tunnel with fans in the stands," she said. "I think it will give them a chance to get some of the nerves out of their system.

"I want to be able to attack and be aggressive defensively and really set the tone for how we want to play. I want to attack offensively and take care of the ball. We are going to miss some shots, but I want this group to really value the basketball and not throw it all over the place."

Guards Raizel Guinto (7.8 ppg, 47-131 three-pointers), Grayson Bright (7.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Amber Dixon (7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg) are Tech's top three returning scores and should provide some experienced leadership early in the year as the seven newcomers get their high tops wet on the Division I level.

Two local products will be making their collegiate debut for Tech in forwards Anna Larr Roberson (Cedar Creek High School) and Mahoganie Williams (Ouachita High School).

For all the latest on the Lady Techsters, fans can follow through social media avenues including Twitter (@LATechWBB), Instagram (@LATechWBB) and Facebook.com/LATechWBB.