LA Tech 83, Northwestern State 64
Louisiana Tech jumped on Northwestern State quickly, going on a 15-0 run to help run away with an 83-64 victory on Friday night inside Prather Coliseum.
LA Tech (3-1) was extremely efficient on offense, going 29-of-59 (49.2 percent) from the field, 10-of-25 (40.0) from beyond the arc and 15-of-18 (83.3) from the foul line.
“I thought we played aggressively and when you play aggressively, you can play with better rhythm,” said Tech head coach Eric Konkol. “I thought Cobe Williams really got us into good offense. We only had four turnovers in the first half that allowed us to get off to a good start offensively. That continued for the most part through the game.
“We got ourselves in a rhythm, took good shots. And when you take good shots, you have a higher percentage of making them. We shot it well from three, inside and from the free throw line.”
The Bulldogs, playing the first of two games as part of the Lanky Wells Classic, had balanced scoring with four notching double-figure points – Amorie Archibald (17), Kenneth Lofton, Jr. (17), Keaston Willis (15) and David Green (10).
NSU (1-4) was the team that scored first, getting a driving layup from leading scorer Kendal Coleman. However, LA Tech answered with a 15-0 run thanks in large part to a three by Willis and back-to-back triples by Archibald as well as two charges taken on Coleman to get him in early foul trouble.
Green’s and-one gave the ‘Dogs a 23-6 advantage with 11:07 to go in the first half, forcing a timeout by the Demons.
The first-half lead maxed out at 43-23 after Archibald drained a three from the top of the arc on their last possession of the stanza. The Demons never threatened in the second half as Lofton, Jr. got 10 of his 17 points in the second half and the team hit all 11 of their free throws.
The Bulldogs host ULM Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Ole Miss 62, Louisiana Tech 44
Despite a game-high 18 points by junior Keiunna Walker, the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball teams suffered their first loss of the 2021-22 season Friday night to Ole Miss, 62-44, inside the SJB Pavilion.
The Lady Techsters fall to 2-1 on the year, while Ole Miss improves to 3-1 with the win.
“Tonight was a really good test for our team,” said Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. “We needed to see how we’re going to respond when things don’t go our way or when we face a little adversity. We had some players step up and compete on the road against an experienced and talented Ole Miss squad.
I thought we struggled at times offensively tonight. They were the more physical team and did a nice job of bumping cutters and forcing us into tough shots. We have to do a better job on the defensive glass in the zone. We’ll have some great film to teach from tomorrow and use this experience to grow and be better as we move forward.”
After surrendering the first seven points of the game, the Lady Techsters used an 8-1 run behind five straight points from Walker to take a 9-8 early lead with 4:03 left to play in the opening period. The Rebels answered with a trio of baskets of their own to take a 16-12 lead after one quarter of play.
The second quarter saw the Lady Techsters go ice cold shooting. LA Tech went 1-of-14 from the field as the Rebels lead grew to 34-14 at the break.
The Lady Techsters came out of the break and hit five of their first seven shots, highlighted by a three from reining C-USA Freshman of the Week Amaya Brannon, to cut the Rebels lead down to 38-27. Ole Miss responded with a quick 6-0 burst to pushed their advantage back out to 17 at 44-27 at the end of the third quarter.
Another 11-3 run by the Lady Techsters, featuring five more points by Walker and two points from Jadona Davis, Lotte Sant and Anna Larr Roberson each, cut the deficit down it 53-40 with 3:39 left to play. But, the Rebels get a pair of baskets by Shakira Austin and Destiny Salary to claim the 62-44 victory.
The Lady Techsters host Nicholls State Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Photo: Chris Reich
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