Courtesy of LA Tech Athletics
WACO, Texas – Louisiana Tech battled, but could not overcome two slow starts, falling 75–46 to #15 Baylor at Foster Pavilion.
“It was a tough day offensively for us,” Techster Head Coach Brooke Stoehr said. “Give Baylor credit. They are a very solid team and are highly ranked for a reason. We allowed their switching, length, and physicality to bother us at times. We had too many possessions early in the game where we did not cut with a purpose or get to the second or third action and make them defend. You cannot attack them one-on-one and expect to score over their length. I thought we were passive at times and did not attack to create advantage enough. We had their lead down to 10 late in the second quarter and had some turnovers that allowed them to get it back to 15 at the half. We have to be much more tough in those situations on the road to give ourselves a chance to execute and force them to guard.
“We had some good moments defensively, but we have to compete offensively from an execution and toughness standpoint to find a way to move the ball and draw two defenders and create an advantage to get easier shots. We have to be physically and mentally tough enough to find a way to finish around the rim, deliver scoring passes to open shooters and make free throws. We will use this game to learn and grow as we continue to prepare for conference play.”
Both offenses started slow with a 2-2 tie after two minutes, but Baylor erupted for a 14-0 run to set the Bears up with a 16-2 lead with four to play in the frame. The lead ballooned up to 18, but a Hillary Dawson layup late ended the quarter 24-8 Baylor. All eight of Louisiana Tech’s points came from the paint, led by Dawson’s four points on 2-2 shooting.
The second quarter was a low-scoring fight. Paris Bradley claimed the first basket of the quarter with a three-ball, the first for the Lady Techsters in the game. Taliah Scott would answer with a 3-pointer of her own, but Jianna Morris would silence the crowd with the second deep shot of the quarter for LA Tech. Both teams would trade baskets for the remainder of the quarter, going into halftime 36-21 Baylor. Louisiana Tech would outscore the Bears 13-12 in the frame with five different players recording a basket.
Despite losing the second quarter, Baylor returned to form in the third. The Bears shot 53.3 percent in the quarter and extended their lead to 60-32 heading into the fourth. Louisiana Tech was 0-6 from deep and were outscored in the paint 8-6. Paris Bradley led LA Tech with 5 points in the frame and dishing an assist.
The final quarter echoed the second, with both teams fighting close for control. Both teams traded baskets throughout the quarter, but the Bears lead was never in danger, winning 75-46. All Lady Techsters points in the fourth came from the free throw line and the paint, marking the third quarter of the game no three pointer was made.
Paris Bradley was the lone Lady Techster to score in double figures, extending her streak to 8 games dating back to last year. Hillary Dawson led in rebounding for the first time this season with six, while Joy Madison-Key paced the team with five assists.
