OXFORD, Miss. – Despite a game-high 18 points by junior
Keiunna Walker the Louisiana Tech women's basketball teams suffered their first loss of the 2021-22 season Friday night to Ole Miss, 62-44, inside the SJB Pavilion.
The Lady Techsters fall to 2-1 on the year, while Ole Miss improves to 3-1 with the win.
After surrendering the first seven points of the game, the Lady Techsters used an 8-1 run behind five straight points from Walker to take a 9-8 early lead with 4:03 left to play in the opening period. The Rebels answered with a trio of baskets of their own to take a 16-12 lead after one quarter of play.
The second quarter saw the Lady Techsters go ice cold shooting. LA Tech went 1-of-14 from the field as the Rebels lead grew to 34-14 at the break.
The Lady Techsters came out of the break and hit five of their first seven shots, highlighted by a three from reining C-USA Freshman of the Week
Amaya Brannon, to cut the Rebels lead down to 38-27. Ole Miss responded with a quick 6-0 burst to pushed their advantage back out to 17 at 44-27 at the end of the third quarter.
Another 11-3 run by the Lady Techsters, featuring five more points by Walker and two points from
Jadona Davis,
Lotte Sant and
Anna Larr Roberson each, cut the deficit down it 53-40 with 3:39 left to play. But, the Rebels get a pair of baskets by Shakira Austin and Destiny Salary to claim the 62-44 victory.
NOTABLES
- LA Tech falls to 7-4 all-time against Ole Miss with the loss.
- Keiunna Walkers scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed three rebounds.
- Amaya Brannon and Salma Bates each added seven points for the Lady Techsters.
- The Lady Techsters shot 29.5 percent from the floor, their lowest of the season and worst since shooting 27.8 percent at Southern Miss last season.
- Robyn Lee grabbed a team-high five rebounds to tie her career-high.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
"Tonight was a really good test for our team. We needed to see how we're going to respond when things don't go our way or when we face a little adversity. We had some players step up and compete on the road against an experienced and talented Ole Miss squad. I thought we struggled at times offensively tonight. They were the more physical team and did a nice job of bumping cutters and forcing us into tough shots. We have to do a better job on the defensive glass in the zone. The 2
nd quarter, in particular, was tough for us offensively. When we get in those stretches we have to learn to play with more poise and fight to get good shots or get to the free throw line. I was encouraged by how the team executed coming out of halftime on both ends of the floor. It's game three and there's so much basketball left to play. I'm really excited about where I think this group can end up by the time conference play arrives. We'll have some great film to teach from tomorrow and use this experience to grow and be better as we move forward."
UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters returns to the court and to the Thomas Assembly Center on Nov. 22 when they host Nicholls State at 6:30 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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