RUSTON — Six Lady Techsters scored in double figures as Louisiana Tech used a multifaceted approach to secure the victory over Central Baptist 112-42 Thursday night in the Thomas Assembly Center.
Robyn Lee and Paris Bradley had 17 points apiece to lead the way for LA Tech (6-4). Autumn Smith set a career high with 15 points on 5-6 from the 3-point line. Taylor Rietveld (13), Jianna Morris (10), and Melissa Mwanza (10) all finished in double figures.
The Lady Techsters took advantage of the size difference to rack up 60 points in the paint while also tying for the second-most 3s in a game in program history with 13.
Tech came into the game averaging just over four 3-pointers a game, but they hit that number after the first quarter. Morris knocked down an uncontested three on the opening possession to it started. Lee, Bradley, and Smith each connected from long range in the first.
With the defense having to come out more, the Lady Techsters used their size to add 14 points in the paint to go up 30-13 after one. Eight of the 10 players that saw action in the first scored.
Central Baptist (5-5) had no answer for Mwanza down low in the second. The sophomore had eight of her points in the quarter to go along with three rebounds. LA Tech extended the lead to 59-27 going into the locker room.
Tech came out of the half with a Morris jumper and another three by Bradley before going cold for a stretch. The Lady Techsters would not convert on their next four possessions. They would bounce back and score 25 over the final five and a half minutes of the stanza.
The Lady Techsters finished shooting 57.0 percent (45-79) from the field, 48.1 percent (13-27) from long range, and 9-11 from the charity stripe. Jordan Marshall and Isla Airey had seven rebounds to lead a group of six players with five or more boards. Lee added seven assists, while Averi Aaron added nine points and Sydney Thomas had seven.
Central Baptist shot 28.3 percent from the field and 29.0 percent from deep. Raigan Head finished with over half of their points at 23.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
“We knew we had a size advantage and wanted to play through the paint. I thought the group did a really nice job of moving the ball and sharing it well tonight. We got a number of open looks and passed them up for an even better shot. It was great to see them shoot the ball the way they did tonight and have 26 assists. Autumn was really solid and shot it well. We need her to take those shots and defend the way she did. It was great to be able to get everyone some minutes. It’s important for this group to continue to focus on our improvement each day. It will be nice to let them enjoy a few days off with their families for Christmas before we get back to work and continue preparation for the start of conference play.”
NOTABLES
- Isla Airey finished with a block for the sixth consecutive game and the ninth time in 10 games. She has seven games with two or more.
- Paris Bradley finished with a career-high 17 points and five assists.
- Robyn Lee had a career-high seven assists.
- The five 3-pointers are a career-high for Autumn Smith. It was also the first time Tech had a player make 5+ since the beginning of last season.
- The Lady Techsters finished with their 114th 100-point game. They are 112-2 in those games and 74-1 at home.
- The 112 points are tied for the 18th most in program history.
- The 70-point margin is the 13th largest for the Lady Techsters.
- Taylor Rietveld had double-figures for the first time in her career and added a career-high six rebounds.
- The 26 assists were the most since Tech had 25 against LSU-Alexandria to open last season.
- It was also the first time the Lady Techsters forced 25+ turnovers since against LSU-A.
- It was the first time Tech scored 100 points since scored 103 against Jarvis Christian on November 9, 2021.
- Louisiana Tech improved to 2-0 against Central Baptist all-time.
UP NEXT
The Lady Techster will break for Christmas before returning to the court against LSU-Alexandria on December 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT in the Thomas Assembly Center. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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