LAFAYETTE, La. – Second half shooting and LA Tech defensive struggles helped UL-Lafayette to 69-57 win over the Lady Techsters Sunday night inside the Cajundome.
The Lady Techsters fall to 7-3 on the year with the loss, while UL-Lafayette improves to 8-2 overall with the win.
A fast and physical start to the game, saw the Lady Techsters use a quick 6-0 burst to open up an 8-5 lead just four minutes into the contest. The Ragin' Cajuns responded with seven straight points to take a 16-10 advantage, and hold an 18-14 lead after the opening frame.
The Lady Techsters battled back with a 7-0 spurt, behind five points from Bates to take a 21-20 lead with 5:56 left in the second stanza. Lafayette grabbed the lead right back, but it didn't last long as a jumper by sophomore
Anna Larr Roberson and the fourth made three-pointer by Bates gave the Lady Techsters a 30-29 lead at the break.
Lafayette caught fire out of the break, sparking an 11-2 run to open up a 42-34 advantage with 6:23 remaining in the third quarter. A pair of jumpers by senior
Jadona Davis and Walker cut the deficit down to five at 47-42 before Lafayette extended the lead out to 52-42 heading to the final period.
The Ragin' Cajuns pushed their lead out to as much as 18 at 63-45 before seven straight points by Walker cutting it to 67-54 before falling to UL-Lafayette, 69-57.
NOTABLES
- The Lady Techsters fall to 41-3 all-time against UL-Lafayette and 16-3 in games played in Lafayette.
- Salma Bates led Tech with 15 points, one-point shy of her career-high, on four three-pointers.
- Keiunna Walker reached double-figures for the 51st time in her career with 12 points this afternoon.
- Walker is one of just five players in Conference USA to have scored in double-figures in all games their team has played in this season.
- Anna Larr Roberson recorded her fourth double-double this season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
- The Lady Techsters forced the Ragin' Cajuns into 18 turnovers while only turning the ball over 11 times.
- LA Tech grabbed 15 offensive rebounds leading to 20 second chance points and 26 points in the paint.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
"It was a struggle for us today on both ends of the floor. We have been very solid defensively all year and were not today. We got beaten to too many 50/50 balls and that can't ever happen. I liked our energy and focus in practice the last two days. I didn't see this coming today. Lafayette was the more aggressive team on both ends of the floor. I thought our group battled in the second quarter and found a way to take the lead despite our struggles. Our defensive energy to start the third wasn't what it needed to be. We were trading baskets and you can't do that on the road. We'll get back tonight and address some things in film and practice to get better and prepare for another road game Wednesday."
UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters wrap-up the non-conference portion of their schedule on Wednesday, Dec. 22, when they travel to McNeese State. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. inside the Burton Coliseum.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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