RUSTON – Louisiana Tech looks for its third straight road sweep as they face the Aggies Saturday afternoon in the Pan American Center.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 5 | 8:00 p.m. CT
Location: Pan American Center (Las Cruces, N.M.)
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Video: ESPN+
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network (97.7 FM) | LA Tech Athletics App
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (16-5, 9-1 CUSA)
The Lady Techsters are coming off another dominant showing, defeating the UTEP Miners 87-48 in El Paso last night. It marks the ninth win in a row for Louisiana Tech and the third game of winning by at least 20 points. The 87 points against UTEP were the most by the Lady Techsters in conference play.
 
The offense did not start hot, however. Jianna Morris and Alexia Weaver found gold to start the game, letting LA Tech get out to an 8-5 lead into the first media. UTEP would then tie the game twice at the free throw line and take a 13-12 lead heading to the benches, the first time Louisiana Tech has trailed after the end of a quarter during their win streak. The Lady Techsters continued to struggle, shooting 1-7 to start the second quarter, allowing the Miner lead to extend to 18-14. Then Jianna Morris took over. Morris rattled four three pointers in three minutes, scoring 14 points in the frame. Weaver would add another triple at the buzzer, capping a 17-1 run to close the half, giving LA Tech a 36-22 lead. The second half was more offensive destruction, scoring 51 points in the half, shooting 20-31 from the field, ending in a 39-point Lady Techsters victory.
 
Jianna Morris was ultimately the difference in the game. Her 14-point second quarter ignited the slumping offense. Louisiana Tech was shooting 5-22 before Morris made her first three pointer in the second quarter. The Lady Techsters shot 28-40 after. The junior guard scored a new career high 21 points and tied her career high with five triples.
 
Alexia Weaver had one of her best games in conference this season as well. Weaver dished a team high six assists and made four three-point baskets. Her 12 points were the third most on the team and she also grabbed three rebounds and a steal.
 
Louisiana Tech continues to be one of the best assisting teams in the country. Ranked 25^th in the country, the Lady Techsters assist 17.6 times per game, the most in Conference USA, almost four more per game than second place. During league play, the number goes up to 19 assists per game, five more than second place Kennesaw State.
 
The Lady Techsters have won nine games in a row and are currently in first place in Conference USA. In those nine games, they have won eight by double-figures and three by at least 20. This past game against UTEP was the largest margin so far at 39.
Since joining Conference USA in the 2013-14 season, The Lady Techsters have never swept UTEP and its travel partner on the road. They are looking to change that tomorrow afternoon.  
 
ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (8-14, 4-6 CUSA)
New Mexico State defeated Sam Houston 65-57 in its first home game in nearly three weeks, improving to 6-4 in Las Cruces. The Aggies outscored Sam Houston in every quarter except the fourth, entering the final frame with a 52-36 lead.
 
After trailing 9-5 in the opening quarter, the Aggies sparked a 9-2 run to take the lead after the first 10 minutes. New Mexico State pushed the lead to its highest point in the second, taking a 32-20 lead into halftime. The Aggie defense held the Bearkats to just 24 percent from the field and outscored Sam Houston 14-2 in fast breaks.
 
NM State scored the first six points of the quarter, pushing the lead to 18, while continuing to keep the Bearkats in check. While Sam Houston put together their best effort in the final frame, it was too late. The Aggies held on for a 65-57 victory, snapping their three game losing streak.
 
Lucía Yenes led the Aggies in scoring with 17 points while grabbing seven boards. Imani Warren assisted six times, leading the squad.
 
New Mexico State boasts one of the best stocks defenses in the conference. The Aggies are second in the league in both blocks (3.3 per game) and steals (10.10) while also holding teams to the second lowest three point percentage (28.2).
 
The Aggies also have two top scorers in the league with Lucía Yenes and Imani Warren. Yenes is eighth with 14.2 points per game and Warren follows closely at ninth with 14.0 points per game.
 
THE SERIES
Louisiana Tech owns a 19-6 record against New Mexico State in the all-time series. Both teams have been foes in the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA. The Lady Techsters and Aggies split conference play last year, each defending home court. The last matchup came in the Conference tournament with a 60-55 Lady Techsters victory, highlighted by Averi Aaron's 18 point performance off the bench.
 
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