RUSTON – Louisiana Tech stay hot in conference, knocking off Western Kentucky 79-65, its fourth double-figure victory in a row.
 
Western Kentucky struck first with a Salma Khedr layup almost two minutes into the quarter. Three lead changes would ensue until Alexia Weaver's three point basket would send the Lady Techsters into the first media with a 7-5 lead, one that would never be surrendered. A 7-0 run would force the Lady Toppers to use a timeout, helping WKU score the final four points of the quarter. The Lady Techsters took a 21-13 lead into the second quarter with six different scorers, led by Weaver with five. All eight baskets for LA Tech were assisted.
 
Paris Bradley started the scoring for Louisiana Tech with a corner triple, her first of the game. Weaver followed with deep shot of her own, extending the lead to 12. WKU would string together a 7-0 run to bring it within five halfway through the frame. The Louisiana Tech offense would then rip off a 14-2 run to close the quarter, highlighted by a Jianna Morris four point play with under a minute to go. The Lady Techsters assisted 14 of their 15 made baskets in the first half en route to a 41-24 halftime lead.
 
The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets with Western Kentucky never pulling within 15 points of the Louisiana Tech lead. WKU strung together a 6-0 run halfway through the third, but LA Tech would answer with a 6-0 run of their own. Six Lady Techsters dished an assist in the frame while seven scored a basket, led by Marshall's six points. Both teams shot over 50.0 percent from the field with the Lady Techsters going 10-15, including 7 straight makes to end the quarter.
 
The Lady Toppers put together their best effort in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 of their 65 points in the frame. Louisiana Tech would go over five minutes without a basket, allowing WKU to put together an 11-0 run to close the gap to 12, but it was too little too late. Alexia Weaver would add a triple for good measure,  her fourth of the game. A WKU free throw would mark the final point, handing the Lady Techsters a 79-65 victory.
 
Five Lady Techsters had double-figure scoring, led by Weaver's 16. Kaleigh Thompson corralled a team high eight rebounds to go along with her 14 points, also dishing out five assists. Joy Madison-Key had seven assists, the game high and the fourth time a Lady Techster has had at least seven this season.
 
With the win, the Lady Techsters have started conference play at a 4-1 clip, the best start in Conference-USA in Louisiana Tech history.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I was very proud of our effort and the way we shared the basketball today. They really attacked the zone well and found easy scoring opportunities. Our defensive focus and effort was solid in the first half and gave us some momentum and transition opportunities. We have to be better closing out that 4th quarter with a big lead. Our focus and intensity has to remain the same no matter the time, score or situation. We talked about finishing a tough 3 game week off the right way, and I'm very proud of how they did that today. We will continue to have a positive discontent and commit to getting better. Winning in league play is difficult, and we want to celebrate those without losing perspective on our continual improvement as a team. 

On 4-1 start to conference play
Ji, Lex and Paris have led us with a very mature approach to how they prepare and consistently show up for our group with their energy and voices. Their approach has been huge for our group and has set the tone for us daily. We are still a young group that is learning how to win together. I'm pleased with the progress we've made, but we still have so much room to grow in order to be playing our best basketball in February and March. 
 
On upcoming trip to Missouri State and FIU
Our recovery tonight and tomorrow will be huge for our group. It's important to be refreshed and ready to go when we come back to practice on Monday to prep for a very difficult road swing and opponents in Missouri State and FIU. Our staff will have a plan ready for them to attack on Monday and find a way to go 2-0 on the road next week. 
 
NOTABLES

• Joy Madison-Key set a new season high with seven assists, the fourth time a Lady Techster has dished at least seven.
• Madison-Key has led the Lady Techsters in assists seven times, the most on the team.
• Louisiana Tech played three games this week, two against the second and third ranked preseason teams. LA Tech won all three by at least 12 points.
• Jordan Marshall was perfect from the field, scoring 14 points on 5-5 shooting.
• Jianna Morris was 4-11 from three-point range, tying the most attempts by a Lady Techster this season. Morris has shot at least 10 three pointers five times this season.
• The Lady Techsters are currently on a 4-game win streak, winning all four by at least 12 points.
• The leading Conference USA assist trio of Madison-Key, Weaver, and Bradley combined for 14 assists against WKU.
• Jianna Morris extended her three-point streak to 22 games in a row with a triple.
• Paris Bradley has scored in double figures in eight games in a row.

UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters go on the road for the second time in league play, heading to Missouri State on Thursday, Jan. 22^nd. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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