RUSTON – Louisiana Tech used suffocating defense and found their rhythm offensively to dominate California Baptist 77-51 on Monday night inside the Thomas Assembly Center.

California Baptist (9-1) came into the contest averaging 73 points per game on 40 percent shooting. However, the LA Tech (4-9) held them to a season-low 51 points on 28 percent from the field.

The Lady Techsters forced the Lancers to miss their first seven shots and jumped out to a 12-0 lead three and a half minutes into the game. Jianna Morris and Salma Bates combined for 10 points during that run. Seven Lady Techsters would score in the first quarter on the way to a 25-12 lead.

Both teams would go cold during the second quarter, combining for just 5-30. However, the Lady Techsters were able to do enough to extend their lead to 19 at the half.

Tech would again focus on coming out strong to start the second half. LA Tech increased their lead to 30 halfway through the third, with six players scoring during a 14-3 run. CBU would make a run, but the Lady Techsters would respond and finish the quarter with the final nine points. Tech would finish the quarter, shooting 77 percent from the field.

LA Tech would cruise in the fourth on the way to their second straight win.

Bates and Morris would finish with a game-high 13 points. Silvia Nativi added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Anja Bukvic added nine and five assists.

Chloe Webb came into the game averaging 21.3 points per game but was held to just six on 1-8 shooting. Khloe Lemon led the Lancers with 13 points, eight in the final period, with the game already decided. 

QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr 
"We played an outstanding team. California Baptist was 9-0, and they knew how to win. They have a lot of experienced players, a great scorer in Chloe Webb, and I thought we set the tone early defensively. The start we got was excellent, and it led to great offensive execution. It helps when you knock down shots, but we know what this group is capable of, and we moved the ball really, really well. We shared it well, and it was a great team win."

"Very unselfish in terms of ball movement for easy shots. We passed up some good shots to get great shots, and they went down, but our defensive effort and effort on the boards being plus 20 was huge.

On the importance of winning at home…
"We have to take pride in our home court and making this a tough environment, and we just had a good focus about it. We've been on the road a lot, and people can say, oh, that's an excuse. We've had a long month and a half, and this will pay off for us in the long run, but I saw a grittiness and toughness tonight on the defensive end and the boards. Everybody that played for us had a rebound. We had multiple people above five, and we challenged them with that yesterday. With this group, we don't have a 20-point-a-game score. We don't need that. We've got enough that if we move the ball, we can have a balanced attack."

On the importance of the second and third quarter…
"We challenged them over the last week about our third quarters, and the second and third quarter has been our weakness. We set the tone early in that first three minutes; coming out of halftime, we told them to get going defensively and offensively. I thought we hunted good shots, and we got stops. We gave up four in the second. I thought that was huge."

Anja Bukvic
On the importance of the win…
"We stayed focused, and all of us had the same goal. Everybody wants to win, so we stayed on the same page and worked hard for this. We started the game focused, finished focused, and stayed on the same page the whole game."

On her performance today…
"I'm trying to help the team and do the things I do the best. I'm trying to put other people in a position to score. I'll keep doing what I can and help my team."

Jianna Morris
On getting the win…
"We all knew that we just needed one. We struggled early in the season but knew we needed that one to get us going. We got that one the other night. We all know it's only up from here. We put in the work and are now seeing the results."

On the ups and downs of being a freshman point guard…
"My teammates keep me going each day. Some days, I don't have a field goal, but they keep my head high. They keep my spirits high, so I wouldn't be where I am without them. It's just all them, all their faith."

NOTABLES

• LA Tech moved to 1-0 all-time against California Baptist.
• Jianna Morris tied her career-high with 13 points on 5-6 shooting.
• Anja Bukvic set a career-high with nine points and five assists.
• Seven Lady Techsters scored seven or more points.
• Every Lady Techster that played recorded a rebound.
• Silvia Nativi tied a career-high with three blocks and added 12 points and seven rebounds.
• The Lady Techsters finished with 55 rebounds and a +20 margin, the most since recording 58 and +27 against McNeese on Dec. 22, 2021.
• Amaya Brannon tied a career-high with 10 rebounds.
•  Salma Bates had a season-high five assists, the sixth time with three or more.

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will travel to Mobile, Ala. on Thursday, Dec. 21, to take on South Alabama. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT and will be live on ESPN+ and KNBB 97.7 FM/LA Tech Athletics App.

LADY TECHSTER 50TH REUNION
Louisiana Tech is celebrating the 50th season of Lady Techster basketball. All former Lady Techster coaches, players, and staff are invited to the celebration held during the CUSA home opener against Sam Houston on Jan. 6, 2024. A reception will be held on Friday, Jan. 5, and formal recognition will be during the game.

RSVP at www.latechalumni.org/Techsters50th.

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