NEW ORLEANS – The Lady Techsters jumped out to an early lead, but could not match LSU down the stretch, losing 87-61 in the Smoothie King Center.
 
The Tigers opened the game fast, scoring the first six points outside and in. Paris Bradley would rattle in the first Lady Techsters basket from deep, then Jianna Morris would add two more in back-to-back possessions, giving LA Tech their first lead of the game. 9-8. A Jordan Marshall layup would extend the run to 11-2 Louisiana Tech heading into the media. Both teams would trade baskets for the remainder of the quarter, closing with a Lady Techsters lead 19-17. Morris and Bradley scored six apiece while Marshall added four rebounds.

LSU regained control in the second, scoring the first 10 points of the quarter. The Lady Techsters committed six fouls in the first three minutes of the game, letting the Tigers reach the stripe early in the quarter. Jayden Terry would cash in from deep for the first Louisiana Tech points of the quarter, ending the scoring drought of over four minutes. Bradley would add another three-pointer, her third of the game, to close the gap to five, but the Tigers would close the quarter on a 6-2 run, entering halftime with a 39-30 lead. Bradley led the way for the Lady Techsters in the second, scoring five points, totaling her to 11 closing the first half. Louisiana Tech shot 3-14 from the field while LSU shot 11-15 from the free throw line in the frame.
 
The Tigers continued to pour into their lead, starting the quarter on a 13-4 run. Bradley converted a tough and-one to start the scoring for LA Tech after a three-minute drought. Kaleigh Thompson would nail her first shot of the game from beyond the arc, trimming the Tiger lead down to 50-42. LSU would answer with an 11-2 run to close the quarter, heading into the 4^th quarter with a 61-44 lead. Five different Lady Techsters would score in the frame, led by Kaleigh Thompson's five points. Bradley would add in three points and four rebounds.
 
The Lady Techsters fought in the fourth quarter, scoring their second most points in the game, but the efficiency of the Tiger offense was too much. LSU shot 8-13 in the quarter from the field and added another 8-10 from the free throw line, scoring a game high 26 points. Bradley led the way with five points, while Averi Aaron grabbed three rebounds.
 
Three Louisiana Tech players scored in double-figures, led by Paris Bradley's 19, setting a new season high. The sophomore guard also added season highs with seven rebounds and four three pointers. Jordan Marshall and Averi Aaron joined Bradley with seven rebounds, creating a three-way tie for gold in the match.

LA Tech is only the second team to hold a lead after the first quarter against LSU. Louisiana Tech's defense was also able to hold the Tiger offense, the number one unit in the nation, to their lowest scoring effort of the season.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I was really proud of the way our group battled and fought together today against one of the best teams in the country. We have focused on our defensive improvement a lot after the first two games of the season. It is a continual process with this team, and if they will be consistent in how they work I believe we have a chance to be a solid defensive team in conference play. We will look back on some offensive rebounds and costly turnovers that led to some easy baskets for the other team and make those corrections. Our group really played with a fearless nature and communicated and battled together out there tonight. I am excited to build on this experience, and if we use it correctly, we can allow it to grow us and help us in conference play. This group competed like they belonged out there tonight and that is exactly what we expect them to do. Tonight is something this group can build upon and learn from just like the rest of our non-conference games. We have to continue to build for February and March because that is when we want to be playing our best basketball as a team in meaningful games.

On facing Kim Mulkey
Kim has done great things for women's basketball and has brought a lot of attention and excitement to our game. She is a big piece of the history and tradition of our program. We all have been afforded tremendous professional opportunities in our lives because of our opportunity to learn and grow in that Lady Techsters uniform. The values and lessons we learned are the things we try to instill in our players today. I know she has great memories and relationships from her time in Ruston. It is a special place and we are all grateful for the opportunity we had to be a part of the program Ms. Hogg and Coach Barmore built. It is my responsibility to steward this program in the right way and embody all those qualities they instilled in us as players.
 
NOTABLES

• Louisiana Tech held LSU to their lowest offensive output of the season. LSU is the number one offense in the country, averaging 111.5 points per game before Saturday night.
• Paris Bradley had a game-high 19 points, the third time she has led the team this season.
• Bradley set a new season high with 19 points and seven rebounds.
• LA Tech is only the second team to hold a lead after the first quarter against the #5 Tigers.
• Three different Lady Techsters grabbed seven rebounds, the first time since Nov. 4^th that three players shared the rebounding title.
• Alexia Weaver scored her 700^th career point with a layup to close the 1^st quarter.
• Bradley scored her 600^th career point with her second three-ball of the game in the first quarter.
• Jianna Morris nailed her first three-pointer of the game, marking the ninth straight game she has made a three pointer on the season.
• The Lady Techsters shot 15-20 from the free throw line, the second best percentage of the season (75.0).
• Ten three pointers is the second most of the season for Louisiana Tech.

UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters will return to Ruston to host Central Arkansas in the third Thomas Assembly Center game of the month on December 17^th at 6:30 p.m. CT.
 
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes.  Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.
 
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today.  You bark.  We bark.  Louder together.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Lady Techster Basketball, follow us on X (@LATechWBB), Instagram (@LATechWBB), and Facebook (LadyTechsters).