HOUSTON – Louisiana Tech rallied from down 16, but fall short in the comeback, losing to Rice in the First Round of the WBIT in Tudor Fieldhouse.
 
Both offenses started slow with each shooting 1-8 to start the game. Entering the 3:40 media, the game was tied 6-6 with the Lady Techsters defense holding Rice to 0-5 from down town. Paris Bradley's layup with 36 seconds to go would give LA Tech a 13-11 lead heading to the bench, her sixth point in the frame. The Lady Techsters defense was stout, holding Rice to 25 percent from the field and 1-8 (12.5) from three.
 
The second quarter ignited the Owls, ripping a 9-2 run to start the frame and take a 20-15 lead over Louisiana Tech, forcing a timeout. That run would stretch all the way to 15-2, pushing the gap as much as 14 in the frame. Joy Madison-Key and Hillary Dawson would add a pair of baskets to close the lead to 35-24 heading to the locker rooms. Rice outscored LA Tech 24-11 in the second quarter, scoring nine off of turnovers.
 
Six Lady Techsters dished in at least three points in the first half, led by Bradley's six. Bradley and Jianna Morris tied with two assists while Dawson grabbed a team high three rebounds.
 
Louisiana Tech scored the first four points of the third quarter to close the gap to seven, but Rice would continue to score, extending the lead back to as much as 16 midway through the frame. Jordan Marshall and Bradley would then spark a 7-0 run over the final two minutes of the frame, with Bradley nailing a triple and Marshall scoop-and-scoring a layup to close the quarter. The run would close the gap to a 50-44 Owl lead. Marshall (6), Bradley (5), Morris (5), and Dawson (4) would be the only scorers in the 20 point quarter for LA Tech, with Dawson grabbing four boards as well.
 
The Lady Techsters fought for footing, but the Owls answered every attempt to begin the frame. That would be until Bradley and Morris nailed back to back triples to give LA Tech a 54-53 lead, their first since the early minutes of the second quarter. The 16 point deficit was officially erased as both teams fought for the lead. Rice would tie the game and take a five point lead with 1:08 to play. Bradley would convert and and-one while Morris knifed through for a lay-in, tying the game again with 41 ticks left on the clock. The Owls would then hit a triple with 21 seconds left and the Lady Techsters would not score, falling in Tudor Fieldhouse 66-61. Morris scored seven while Bradley scored six in the final frame.
 
LA Tech nearly came back from 16 points down midway through the third quarter for what would have been the largest comeback of the season. Bradley led the way with 17 points, marking her seventh time in the last eight games to be the leading scorer for the Lady Techsters. Morris was close behind with 15 points, hitting two triples and grabbing four rebounds. Dawson grabbed a team high seven boards, adding in eight points.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Brooke Stoehr

I loved our defensive effort and energy in the first quarter. We created turnovers and some opportunities for us offensively. Had a little dip in the second that allowed Rice to stretch it. We gave up some offensive rebounds that didn't finish defensive possessions that allowed them to stretch the lead. Our team came back out at halftime and competed really well, we got back to who we have been all year long. It was really fun to see that and I am so proud of how we competed. It came down to one shot. I am incredibly grateful for this group and I do not want this to diminish what they have accomplished. Incredible run, and to do it the way they did it in conference, a regular season championship, 19 straight wins. I know this will fuel them. Really proud to coach this group and grateful for the time we had together. When we're able to look back on this season there will be so much to be proud of what this group was able to accomplish and the journey they took us on this season. 
 
NOTABLES

• Paris Bradley has led LA Tech in scoring in seven of the last eight games, totaling 16 times on the season.
• The last three losses of the season were by five or less points.
• The Lady Techsters outscored the Owls 32-24 in the paint, outscoring opponents by 266 in the paint on the season.
• Hillary Dawson led the team with seven rebounds, her most since having six against Sam Houston on February 28^th.
• Dawson had a +10 plus/minus in only 17 minutes of gametime.
• 66 points were the most the Lady Techsters allowed in the postseason, holding teams to an average of 44.6 before.
• This was the Lady Techster's 38^th postseason appearance in the 51 year history of the program.
• 26 wins are the most LA Tech have had in 20 years.

 
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