It was a great week to be a Louisiana Tech basketball fan as the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters notched sweeps over division opponent UAB.
At Tuesday’s weekly press conference, head coaches Eric Konkol and Brooke Stoehr explained how their teams were able to pull off the four total victories.
“I thought our team really fed off the energy of the crowd,” said Konkol who led the ‘Dogs over the West Division leader Blazers. “We had to have a great defensive effort, but most important, we had to take care of the basketball. We actually won the turnover margin when you combine both games. It was a great two wins for us.”
“I think it was a great weekend for us on both ends of the floor,” said Stoehr who led her team to two road wins of 20-plus points. “I thought we competed well. We just had a different look about us. Overall, I am really excited about the momentum this group has right now.”
For the Bulldogs, it was the performances of Cobe Williams and Kenneth Lofton, Jr. that carried the team offensively, scoring in double figures in both contests. They have been two pieces of a balanced attack, a balance Konkol said he thought he would have going into this season.
“Because we have a lot of age and experience on this team, we have a lot of guys just motivated on pursuing a championship,” said Konkol. “We have had many games where a different guy has had a great scoring night. I am very pleased with the way it has turned out.”
For the Lady Techsters, it was the duo of Amber Dixon and Keiunna Walker that poured in the points. Both players scored at least 20 points in each game.
“We have known Dixon has this ability,” said Stoehr. “It has taken her a little bit longer to get going and we have seen that over the last month. Being able to score at all three levels has been big for us. We talk a lot about Walker and her ability to get by people. It is difficult to keep her in front of you. She gets to the free throw line, and when she does that, we are successful.”
The two squads look to carry this momentum into this Friday and Saturday as they take on Middle Tennessee.
“They are a team that has had some high moments,” said Konkol. “Their last home stand, they swept Charlotte who is a very good team. They are playing with great balance and they have a lot versatility. You have to take their record and push it out the window.”
“They are good,” said Stoehr. “They have the nation’s leading scorer. Everything goes through her, but they are very balanced. They have very capable scorers at other positions. They can spread you out. We have our hands full. We have to control tempo and force them to guard us in order to be successful.”
The Bulldogs will head to Murfreesboro to face the Blue Raiders on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m. The Lady Techsters will host the Blue Raiders in Ruston on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m.
Photo: Tom Morris