HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Louisiana Tech's freshman forward Averi Aaron had a career-high 18 points, eight rebounds, and five steals to lead the Lady Techsters to a 60-55 win over fourth-seed New Mexico State on Thursday afternoon at the Propst Arena.
 
Aaron came off the bench about three minutes into the game and made an immediate impact for Louisiana Tech (16-14). Aaron went into the game with the Techsters down 6-2 and missed her first shot. However, that would not deter her as she would connect on her next to put Tech up 11-8. Robyn Lee added six points to help LA Tech to a 19-10 lead after one.
 
New Mexico State (17-15) had no answer for Aaron in the second quarter. After starting the second with a layup, Aaron corralled a rebound and gave it to Jianna Morris to push it upcourt. Morris rewarded the freshman with a pass to at the top of the key, where Aaron hit a triple to push the lead to 14.
 
The Aggies responded with a 14-5 run to cut it to five before Aaron went to work down low to start a 6-2 run to end the half. The Lady Techsters entered the locker room with a 36-26 advantage.
 
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams forcing the other into six turnovers. NMSU had a 12-9 advantage in the stanza, but the Lady Techsters held to a 45-38 lead heading into the fourth.
 
The Aggies cut it to four on the opening possession with a three. After NM State got the ball back, Aaron took the ball from the Aggies, and once again, Morris rewarded her with her second triple of the game to push the lead back to seven. After that, the teams would remain even for the remainder of the game, with the Lady Techsters hitting their free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
 
Both teams had 56 shot attempts in the game, with LA Tech making one more.
 
Louisiana Tech finished 39.3 percent from the field (22-56), 21.1 percent from behind the arc (4-19), and 80.0 from the line (12-15). Jordan Marshall had her 10th double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Lee was the only other Lady Techster in double figures with 13.
 
New Mexico State finished 37.5 percent for the game (21-56), 25 from deep (3-12), and 90.9 from the charity stripe (10-11). A week after scoring 35 points against Tech in Las Cruces, Molly Kaiser was held to just 14. Fanta Gassama had 13 boards to lead the Aggies.

QUOTABLES
Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
 
"I'm very proud of the team's defensive effort and attention to detail today. Our group forced Kaiser into tough shots early and really rebounded the ball well. It's postseason and we just have to find a way to survive and advance. I thought their defensive effort today was a complete 180 from last Thursday in las cruces. Our bench came in and gave us major contributions, and that's what you need to advance in meaningful games in March. It takes a total team effort and that's what we got from this group today. I'm so proud of them and just grateful we get to compete together for 40 more minutes tomorrow."

NOTABLES

• Paris Bradley has an assist in every game this season.
• Averi Aaron scored in double figures for the third straight game.
• Isla Airey had multiple blocks for the 15th time this season.
• Paris Bradley is one point away from tying Tamicha Jackson for the 10th most points by a freshman for the Lady Techsters.
• Paris Bradley is tied with Amber Dixon for the 10th most assists by a Lady Techster Freshman.
• Jordan Marshall moved into ninth place on the Lady Techster freshman rebound list with 259.
• Jordan Marshall moved into third on the Lady Techster freshman FT attempts list and on the FT made.
• Isla Airey is one block away from tying Janice Lawrence for the fourth most by a Lady Techster freshman.
• Jianna Morris moved into fourth on the Lady Techster sophomore minutes list.
• LA Tech outrebounded their opponent for the 21st time.
• LA Tech is 11-2 when holding an opponent to under 60 points.
• Louisiana Tech improved to 19-6 all-time against New Mexico State.

 
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will take on top seeded Liberty in the CUSA semifinals on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Propst Arena on ESPN+.
 
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