HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Louisiana Tech's offense runs cold in the CUSA Championship, falling to Missouri State 43-38, its first loss in 71 days.
 
Both teams fought for control in the opening minutes with neither side gaining an advantage greater than two points. The game was three times with six lead changes until the Lady Techsters scored the last six points of the frame, giving them a 16-12 lead after the first quarter. Paris Bradley scored four points and grabbed four rebounds while adding in a steal. The Lady Techsters outscored the Lady Bears 12-6 in the pain and forced five turnovers, having none of their own. Kaemyn Bekemeier, who had seven points in both previous matchups against LA Tech, had nine in the first quarter.
 
Jordan Marshall scored the first points of the second quarter to boost the LA Tech lead to six, but the Lady Bears would spark a 6-0 run to take the lead midway through the frame. Signs of what's to come came creeping in with the Lady Techsters making none of their last nine shots. Averi Aaron connected from deep with 1:24 left in the quarter to take a 23-21 Lady Techsters lead, the first Louisiana Tech points in over seven minutes. Aaron's triple sparked a 6-0 run that helped give a 26-23 advantage to LA Tech heading into the locker rooms. The Lady Techsters shot 3-13 in the frame, missing nine in a row.
 
In the first half, Bradley and Aaron tied with seven points for the most on the team. Bradley grabbed a game high seven rebounds, three more than the next closest player. The Lady Techsters forced nine turnovers and held the Lady Bears to 35.7 percent from the field.
 
Missouri State opened the third quarter with another 6-0 run to take a 27-26 lead behind second chance points and free throws. Louisiana Tech would tie the game twice, but the Lady Bears continued to push, scoring the last six points of the frame over the last three minutes. The Lady Techsters could not make a basket, shooting 2-18 from the field and 1-9 from deep. Five points in the quarter put LA Tech in a 37-31 hole entering the final 10 minutes.
 
Maiesha Washington of Missouri State and Bradley would trade baskets with 8:04 left to play to keep it a six point Lady Bears game. It would be the last points until 33 second left to play. Both teams would shoot 0-15 combined until Bradley connected from three to make it a three point game. Free throws would get it back to a five point Missouri State lead. Aaron's layup with 14 seconds left would be the final Lady Techsters points, falling to the Lady Bears 43-38 in the CUSA Championship. Missouri State only made one basket in the frame.
 
The Lady Techsters scored five and seven points in the third and fourth quarters, shooting 5-32 (15.6 percent) from the field and 2-12 from deep.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr
Congratulations to Missouri State. They made a few more plays than we did today. It was a tough day for us offensively. I am so incredibly proud of our team. What they have achieved this season has been incredible. They are a special, special group with a bright future ahead of them. Today's outcome is hard for all of us because of what each of us has invested. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach this group and am excited to get to compete with them in the postseason. My heart is full of gratitude for who they are and how they have selflessly given themselves for the group.
 
NOTABLES

• 38 points is the season low for the Lady Techsters and the least points since 2020.
• Allowing 43 points is the second time in the tournament that the Lady Techsters held a team to 43 (Delaware, semifinals).
• Louisiana Tech held every team they faced in the CUSA tournament to less than 50 points.
• It is the first time Louisiana Tech have been held below 40 points since Charlotte in 2020, losing 55-37.
• The Lady Bears only made one basket in the fourth quarter, shooting 1-10.
• The 12 second half points are the least points in a half by Louisiana Tech since 2019, scoring 13 in a loss to Middle Tennessee.
• Bradley led the Lady Techsters with 14 points, making her the leading scorer in every tournament game.
• Joy Madison-Key led the team with four assists, marking her fourth game in a row leading in the category.
• Lainie Douglas of Missouri State had seven blocks, the most against LA Tech this season by an opposing player.

UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters will await the NCAA's decision to see if they get a chance to dance.
 
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