RUSTON – Louisiana Tech's defense and balanced offensive attack snaps seven game losing streak to Middle Tennessee, defeating the Blue Raiders 61-48 in the Thomas Assembly Center.
 
The scoring started fast for the Lady Techsters, running out to a 6-0 lead with three different scorers. Alexia Weaver and Jianna Morris provided hounding defense, helping force eight Blue Raider turnovers in the first frame of action. Louisiana Tech continued to score in a variety of ways, inside, outside, and at the free throw line. A Paris Bradley triple would send the game into the second quarter with a 15-5 Lady Techsters lead. Five is the second lowest score for MTSU in a quarter this year, scoring only two against Providence earlier in the season. Bradley bested Middle Tennessee by herself, scoring a team high nine on perfect shooting.
 
Middle Tennessee battled back in the second quarter, closing the gap to 22-15 at the media timeout. Louisiana Tech would score the next five to get the lead back to 12, but MTSU stayed in striking distance, nailing two threes to cut the deficit to 27-21 entering the half. Paris Bradley played all 20 minutes of the first half, entering the locker rooms as the game's only double figure scorer with 12. Jordan Marshall bolstered the paint, grabbing three offensive rebounds and having five total.
 
The third quarter stayed close into the media with both teams trading baskets. The Lady Techsters defense remained strong, grabbing two steals for easy transition layups. After the media, LA Tech began to extend their lead to the biggest of the game with a Joy Madison-Key layup to extend it to 17 points. Louisiana Tech would enter the final frame up 49-35 with six different players chipping in a game high 22-point quarter. Averi Aaron paced the squad with six, entering double-digits with 11.
 
Both offenses started slow, but the Lady Techsters lead stayed safe, never entering single digits. Jianna Morris added in two huge threes to kill any Blue Raider momentum, extending her streak to 21 games in a row with a triple. An Averi Aaron rebound would seal the game 61-48 for the first Lady Techsters victory over the Blue Raiders since the 2021-22 Conference USA tournament.
 
Paris Bradley scored her seventh straight double-figure game with 17 points, a team high. She also grabbed seven rebounds and dished a team high four assists. Bradley was 6-8 from the field, including 3-4 from down town, and a perfect 2-2 from the line. The sophomore guard has failed to score in double-digits only one time this season.
 
Jordan Marshall led the team in rebounding with eight, her first time since Dec. 17 against Central Arkansas. Her 14 points was the second most on the team and the 12^th time she has scored in double figures this season.
 
The Lady Techsters scored 34 points in the paint, the sixth time they have scored at least 30 this season. Louisiana Tech also forced 20 turnovers, including eight in the first quarter, the eighth time they have forced at least 20 in a game. LA Tech never trailed in the game, the sixth time this season.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I was very proud of the defensive effort of our group tonight. Lex really set the tone for us on the ball to start the game and our group fed off of that. We did not let them get comfortable and were able to force some turnovers that created easy offense for us. We missed some opportunities in the second quarter offensively where we turned it over and did not extend the lead. I thought we responded well coming out of the half and put together a really nice third quarter. It is important to take care of home court. We have to turn the page quickly and prepare for WKU on Saturday. This group is buying in to the right things and committing to each other and the success of the group. That makes it fun to be around them each day.
 
Guard Paris Bradley
We have bought into each other and that is giving us success on the court. Our communication has improved it has helped our defense improve. We are still not satisfied but we are grateful for where we are at right now.
 
Forward Averi Aaron
The morale of the team right now is good and that has been a turning point for us. We have all been making plays and have been flying around for each other, and it has made us a really hard team to guard.
 
NOTABLES

• Lady Techsters held the Blue Raiders to their second lowest score in a quarter, holding them to 5 in the opening frame.
• Jianna Morris made two three pointers in the fourth quarter, extending her streak to 21 games in a row with a triple.
• Louisiana Tech never trailed in the game, the sixth time this season.
• The Lady Techsters broke a seven-game losing streak to Middle Tennessee, with the last victory coming in the 2021-22 Conference USA tournament.
• Standout freshman Blair Baugus, the leading scorer for the Blue Raiders, was held to her lowest total of the season tonight with four points.
• Paris Bradley is currently on a seven-game streak of double-figure scoring
• Bradley is also on an eight-game streak of grabbing at least five rebounds.
• Averi Aaron set a new career high in minutes with 33.
• Louisiana Tech scored 34 points in the paint, the sixth time this season scoring at least 30 and the eighth time outscoring the other team.

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will face Western Kentucky in the Thomas Assembly Center to close the home stand on Saturday, Jan. 17^th. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

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