Saturday, Nov. 27 8:35pm ET
Louisiana Tech's defense dominates
 
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LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Second-ranked Louisiana Tech needed some fun after a disappointing loss Monday night. The Lady Techsters found it at the expense of Southeast Missouri State in the Lady Rebel Shootout.

Betty Lennox scored 15 of her 21 points in the first half as the Lady Techsters rolled to a 96-54 victory over Southeast Missouri State to advance to the championship game against the winner of Saturday's second game between UNLV and Weber State.

Louisiana Tech (2-1) dominated the Otahkians (1-2) from start to finish in bouncing back from a 74-72 loss at Mississippi State.

"We needed a game like this coming off that loss," Lady Techster coach Leon Barmore said. "The point of coming to this tournament and coming to Las Vegas was to have fun, but we really needed a win."

Louisiana Tech's defense dominated the game and forced Southeast Missouri State into 28 turnovers as well as a 35 percent shooting performance. The Lady Techsters had 22 steals, and outscored the Otahkians 18-0 on fast-break points.

"We played with the intensity and the defensive tenacity we need every night," Barmore said. "We had the speed and quickness in the backcourt and our press just did them in. When we run and pressure the ball we are very good."

Lennox was part of the speed and quickness Southeast Missouri State couldn't handle.

"That's our strength because we have so many players who can run the floor and finish," said Lennox, a senior guard. "The up-tempo pace was simply too much for them."

Louisiana Tech freshman, Cheryl Ford, whose father, Utah Jazz star Karl Malone, watched the game at the Thomas & Mack Center, had 14 points and eight rebounds in her third collegiate game.

Catrina Frierson added 12 points and Takeisha Lewis and Ayana Walker scored 10 each for the Lady Techsters.

Paula Corder-King led Southeast Missouri State with 20 points.
 


ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard

SE Missouri State Clubhouse

Louisiana Tech Clubhouse