JONESBORO, Ark. – The Lady Techsters' struggle in the third quarter led to a 69-58 loss to Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon inside First Bank Arena.

LA Tech (2-8) came out firing on all cylinders, knocking down their first three shots to jump out to an 8-0 lead. Jianna Morris would knock down a three from the wing to push the lead back to 15-9 with three minutes left to play. The two teams would go cold the rest of the way until Arkansas State (4-3) made a shot at the buzzer, giving Tech a 15-12 lead.

After combining for 14 turnovers in the opening stanza, the two teams cleaned it up offensively. They committed just four in the second quarter. 

Salma Bates scored the first five points for the Lady Techsters in the second, pushing the lead back to seven at 21-14. The Red Wolves would answer with a seven-point run within a minute to tie the game up at 21 apiece. The teams would trade points for the rest of the half.

Arkansas State grabbed the lead early in the second half off a pair of threes. The Lady Techsters would work to close the gap but would be held scoreless over the final four minutes.

Autumn Smith gave the Lady Techsters a boost to start the fourth. After a corner three, Smith would get fouled on a layup and convert the and one opportunity to help Tech pull back within 10. Arkansas State's Izzy Higginbottom would score the final seven points for the Red Wolves to secure the win.

Bates finished with 13 points and six rebounds, while Anna Larr Roberson had 11 points and eight rebounds. Robyn Lee (8), Silvia Nativi (7), Morris (7), Kate Thompson (6), and Smith (6) were the other Lady Techsters to score. Morris and Nativi finished with four assists apiece.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr 

"We got off to a really good start. We moved the ball well and defended well in that first quarter. Other than too many turnovers, we got off to a good start in the first quarter. In the second quarter, we were much better at taking care of the basketball, but we just gave up some transition looks to them. They got to the free throw line."

"The difference was the third quarter. We had some turnovers that led to some transition ball movement for open threes for them, and we couldn't knock down some shots. We didn't recognize a switch on having a little on a big and trying to throw it inside. Give them credit; they answered a run and had a really good third quarter. We tried to make a little run there in the fourth, but they had some critical offensive boards where we didn't clean up with our guards, and that's where we got to grow up."

NOTABLES

• LA Tech finished with 13 assists, the ninth time this season with 10 or more.
• The Lady Techsters forced Arkansas State into 14 turnovers; Tech has forced an opponent into 10+ turnovers this season.
• Bates has scored double figures in eight out of 10 games this season. 
• The Lady Techsters continue to be productive on the season, scoring 14 points, the eighth time in double figures.
• Lee finished with a season-high three assists.
• Nativi and Morris finished with four assists apiece. Both players have 3+ assists in five games this season. 

UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters return to the friendly confines of the Thomas Assembly Center for three games in five days. LA Tech takes on SMU on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. CT. The game 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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