Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech swept this week’s Conference USA Freshman of the Week awards as Paris Bradley and AJ Bates both garnered the awards.
Getting the start in place of injured Sean Newman Jr., Bates stepped up and led LA Tech to an impressive 90-66 road win at Sam Houston, handing the Bearkats their biggest loss in conference play.
The Houston, Texas native played all 40 minutes while recording career highs in points (20), assists (nine), and steals (four), becoming just the second freshman in the country this season to register this stat line.
Seventeen of his team-high 20 points came in the second half when the Bulldogs put up 54 points on the Bearkats. The nine assists are the most by a CUSA freshman in a game this season while the four steals tied for the most by a CUSA freshman.
This is the second weekly honor of the season for Bates who also claimed the CUSA Freshman of the Week award back on Dec. 16 during non-conference play.
Bradley had 25 points in LA Tech’s 76-55 win over Sam Houston in the Lady Techsters lone game last week. The 5-9 guard was an efficient 8-9 from the field, including 3-4 from long range and 6-7 from the free throw line, playing all 40 minutes of action.
The Carrollton, Texas, native added five rebounds and five assists. It was the 10th game with five or more rebounds and the seventh time with five or more assists.
On the season, Bradley averages 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. The five 20-point performances are tied for the seventh most by a Lady Techster freshman. Her 374 points are the 11th most by a Tech player during her freshman campaign.
