RUSTON – Louisiana Tech shoots 6-8 from the three point line in the fourth quarter to come back from an eight point hole to win their 12^th straight in conference, beating Missouri State 68-67 in Ruston.
 
The Lady Techsters offense rolled to start the game, scoring the first seven points of the frame and leading by 10 twice. A Lady Bear basket would close the gap to eight, giving LA Tech a 19-11 lead after the first quarter. Jordan Marshall scored almost half the Lady Techsters points, pouring in nine points with two boards.
 
Missouri State fought back early in the second quarter, sparking an 8-0 run to force a Louisiana Tech timeout as the Lady Bears tied the game 21-21. The Lady Techsters offense could not find rhythm, only mustering nine points in the frame, tying the least amount of points for LA Tech in a quarter during conference play. Despite being outscored 16-9, Louisiana Tech took a one point lead into the locker rooms, 28-27. The Lady Techsters shot 2-14 in the frame, 1-9 from downtown.
 
In the first half, Louisiana Tech was outrebounded 22-11 and were shooting 32.1 percent from the field. The Lady Techsters were 7-7 from the free throw line and forced 12 turnovers. Missouri State, who are sixth in the country in free throws made per game, did not shoot a single free throw.
 
The Lady Bears exploded in the third quarter. Two three pointers would cap a 10-3 run that gave Missouri State a 40-33 lead, forcing a Louisiana Tech timeout. The Lady Techsters could not guard string together stops, letting the Lady Bears score 25 in the frame. MoState lead by as much as nine, tying the largest deficit LA Tech has faced in conference play this season. The Lady Techsters shot 63.6 percent from the field, but Missouri State was 4-7 from the three point line and 5-5 from the charity stripe.
 
Paris Bradley ignited the Louisiana Tech offense, making two three pointers to cut the lead down to two. Missouri State strung together good possessions, getting the lead back up to eight with seven minutes to play. Two more big three pointers from Louisiana Tech would cut the lead down to three two separate times, with Kaleigh Thompson nailing a huge three pointer from the right corner with 2:18 left to play. It was the first Louisiana Tech lead in nearly 16 minutes. Both teams would struggle to score until Lainie Douglas broke through for the Lady Bears to take a 67-66 lead with 20 seconds to play. With the game on the line, Paris Bradley would be fouled on her layup attempt with six seconds left to play, allowing the Preseason Player of the Year to shoot two free throws.
 
Swish, swish.
 
Missouri State would call a timeout, advancing the ball and forcing Louisiana Tech to defend the halfcourt. The Lady Techsters forced the Lady Bears to shoot a contested shot for the win.
 
Airball.
 
The Lady Techsters hang on to win 68-67, their 12^th win in a row.
 
Louisiana Tech shot 6-8 from deep in the third quarter, scoring 18 of their 24 points with triples. The Lady Techsters lead for only 2:40 in the second half. Paris Bradley bookended the frame, scoring the first six and the last two, a key component in the Lady Techster's victory.
 
Missouri State outrebounded Louisiana Tech by 13 and outassisted by 4. The Lady Bears also scored more points in the paint (36-28) and off the bench (24-11). It is the first time Louisiana Tech has been outassisted since playing #5 LSU in December.
 
Alexia Weaver led the Lady Techsters in scoring for the third straight game with 14 points. Joy Madison-Key dished six assists and committed only one turnover off the bench.
 
Jianna Morris made Lady Techster history in the TAC. With her third triple coming in the final frame, she made her 67^th three pointer of the year, the most by a junior in program history. Morris has now made a three pointer in 30 straight games.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
I am incredibly proud of the toughness and resilience our group showed today in that fourth quarter. Give Missouri State credit. I thought they played very well and played with a greater sense of urgency for a majority of the game today. This team never waived from their belief in each other and found a way to get stops when we needed them and got the ball moving to find open shooters at critical times. Saturdays are about toughness, and we found it within ourselves to get back to doing the little things that allowed us to get stops and score the ball. I am just so proud of how we responded and did it together today. We have to get some things cleaned up on film and practice before we hit the road again next week. I know this group will approach it the right way and will be ready to compete in two tough games on the road.
 
Guard Paris Bradley
We had to get back to playing together. Our "next play" mentality found a way to stack possession on top of possessions and it kept us going.
 
Guard Alexia Weaver
They did a good job adjusting to our defensive pressure. We just could not lose hope. We knew that we could start a run and start punching back.
 
NOTABLES

• Jianna Morris has made the most three pointers by a junior in program history, making 67 on the season so far.
• Louisiana Tech led for only 2:40 in the second half
• Missouri State led by as much as nine, tying the largest deficit that LA Tech has faced in conference play this season.
• The Lady Techsters shot 6-8 from three in the final quarter, allotting for 75% of their points in the frame.
• Alexia Weaver led LA Tech in scoring for the third straight game with 14 points. Weaver has led in scoring seven times this season, second to Bradley who has done it 10 times.
• Jordan Marshall led the team with seven rebounds, her 13^th time this season as the leader.
• Joy Madison-Key dished a team high six assists, her 12^th time leading in assists this season.
• Louisiana Tech was outrebounded 36-23, the largest deficit since the opening game against Arkansas, losing the board-battle 50-36.
• The Lady Techsters shot 10-11 from the free throw line, including Paris Bradley's two to seal the game.
• LA Tech have scored at least 20 points in a quarter in seven straight games.
• Twelve conference wins ties the most Louisiana Tech has had as members of Conference USA. It is the third season with at least 12 wins.

UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech get back on the road to face Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State Thursday and Saturday. Tipoff against Jacksonville State will be at 6:30 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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