RUSTON – The Lady Techsters broke through a defensive showdown with an explosive fourth quarter to win the Education Day matchup against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Lady Techsters got a quick start in the game behind an 8-0 run, fueled by three Hillary Dawson layups. The Lady Lions would respond with an 8-0 run of their own, tying the game behind a Jasmine Davis putback. Paris Bradley would answer from deep with the only three pointer in the quarter, taking the 11-8 lead into the second quarter. Both teams struggled offensively with only eight baskets in the first quarter combined. The Lady Techsters shot 30.8 percent from the field while the Lady Lions shot 22.2 percent. Dawson led the Lady Techsters with six points and three rebounds.
 
Some rhythm was forming with Louisiana Tech with a 9-2 run to start the second quarter. Jianna Morris would cash in from three twice in the quarter, scoring six points and a steal. LA Tech would lead as much as 10, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff refused to let the lead get out of hand, keeping the Lady Lions within eight at the half, 28-20. Paris Bradley led the team in rebounding the second quarter, bringing down three boards. At the half, Bradley led the Lady Techsters in scoring with seven while Averi Aaron led the team with four rebounds.
 
Arkansas-Pine Bluff made a push for the lead in the third, scoring the first five points of the quarter. Jordan Marshall would raise the lead back to five with a layup, but the Lady Lions stayed on the Lady Techster's tail with another basket, lowering the lead to three, 30-27. The two teams would trade baskets the rest of the quarter, ending with a 44-40 LA Tech lead. Joy Madison-Key led the Lady Techsters in scoring with five and Jordan Marshall grabbed five rebounds, the team high for a quarter.
 
The fourth quarter was all Louisiana Tech. The rhythm the Lady Techsters were looking for was finally found, opening the quarter on a 13-2 run. Jianna Morris would cash in from deep with the assist from Alexia Weaver, then after a Weaver layup, Weaver would cash in from deep with the assist from Morris. The lead would stretch as much as 25 in the quarter behind 29 LA Tech points, a game best. The Lady Techster defense was stout, keeping the Lady Lions to single digits for the second time in a quarter. Louisiana Tech shot 11-12 in the quarter, including Morris shooting 3-3 from downtown. The ball was shared in the quarter, with eight of the Lady Techster's 11 assists coming in the fourth.

Jianna Morris tied a career high with five three pointers, the second time she has hit this mark this season. Morris led the team with 17 points, followed by Bradley's 15 and Weaver's 13. Jordan Marshall led the team in rebounding for the fourth straight game this season with eight. The Lady Techsters led for 37:54 of game time, holding the Lady Lions to 30.5 percent shooting and single digit points in two quarters.  
 
Quotables
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I thought we had a great environment today. Any time we can have a group of kids bringing that energy it is fun.  We made it an emphasis to show them how to be a great teammate, how to be coachable, and how to compete and give great effort. Our team did that today even after not shooting the ball well early. We finished the game the way we're supposed to, and I'm very proud of our group for staying the course. I thought we had some good shots in the first half, but we needed to move the ball better for easier shots. We did that in the fourth quarter. We honored Reed Pipes before the game, and he's shown true grit and resilience and fight during his battle. I am proud of our defensive effort and proud of our group's ability to find a way to end the game the right way. We have been emphasizing defense in practice and our level of communication and effort is starting to meet that standard we have set for them. 

On coaching against former teammate Erica Leak
Anytime you get a former Lady Techster to come back to Ruston it is special.  Erica did a lot for this program. She was a great teammate. It is something I want my team to understand what it means to put on this uniform. Once a Lady Techster, always a Lady Techster, and it is a great family to be a part of. Her team plays with a lot of grit and toughness, it really models who she was as a player. I am proud of her and I'll be cheering for her.

On the environment
Whenever you get a group of excited kids like the ones we had today, you really want to leave an impression. I think we showed the ability to overcome adversity and come together in those situations. It was important to show passion and have fun, make sure that we are enjoying the game we work hard at and get the opportunity to play. I wanted the experience to be special for them, and hopefully our team gave them some great memories with their classmates and friends.  Their chants were great and we appreciate their encouragement.

Notables

• The Lady Techsters shot 11-12 in the fourth quarter, including 4-5 from three.
• 91.7 percent shooting in the fourth quarter is the best shooting percentage of any quarter this season.
• Jianna Morris tied her career high with five threes. It is the second time in four games she has hit the mark.
• Jordan Marshall led the team with eight rebounds, the fourth time she had led in rebounding this season.
• Marshall's eight rebounds continues her streak of at least six rebounds in a game. She has hit the mark four times this season and 31 times in her career.
• The Lady Techsters outscored the Lady Lions in points from turnovers, points, in the paint, and points from fast breaks. Both teams tied in second chance points and bench points.
• The Lady Techsters held the Lady Lions to single digit points in the first quarter and the fourth quarter.
• Jianna Morris scored in double figures for the 32^nd time in her career.
• Alexia Weaver scored in double figures for the 33^rd time in her career.
• Paris Bradley scored in double figures for the 27^th time in her career.
• Paris Bradley has scored in double figures every game this season.
• Four three pointers allowed ties the lowest mark of the season.

UP NEXT
LA Tech plays its third straight home game against Stephen F. Austin on Sunday, November 23^rd at 2:00 p.m. CT.
 
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