Techsters look to build momentum
HOUSTON – Louisiana Tech head coach Tyler Summitt said it best during his postgame radio show Thursday night following the Lady Techsters win over North Texas in Denton.
When referring to Saturday’s contest at Rice set for 2 p.m. at Autry Court, Summitt said, “Now let’s see if we can do something we haven’t done all year; win the second game of a two-game road trip.”
The Lady Techsters (14-12, 9-6 C-USA) are 0-fer when it comes to playing on Saturdays on the road during Conference USA action. Tech is 3-1 during the first game of the two-game weekend’s road swings but is 0-3 on the second game.
Tech picked up an important road win with a 78-67 victory over North Texas Thursday night in a game that saw the Lady Techsters overcome a three-point halftime deficit, thanks to one of the best halves of basketball it has played this season.
Brooke Pumroy leads Techsters to victory
Now, Summitt and Co. must enter Autry Court — a place that Tech teams are only 2-4 all-time — and try to defeat a Rice team on senior day.
“Rice is so much better than their (7-19) record indicates,” Summitt said. “We were so lucky to beat them at our place three weeks ago; very lucky. I know that they are going to want to rebound (from Thursday’s home loss to Southern Miss) and send their seniors out on a high note at home. We will have to come and match their energy and intensity.”
Rice saw its season-long three-game winning streak snapped with its 59-49 loss to Southern Miss Thursday night in a game that the Owls scored only 14 points in the opening half.
The Owls (7-19, 6-9 C-USA) have struggled offensively this year, averaging only 58.1 points per game. Rice does boast three double-digit scorers in Jasmine Goodwine (12.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Shani Rainey (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Maya Hawkins (10.2 ppg, 114 assists). Goodwine scored 28 points against Tech in the first meeting of the year.
The Lady Techsters are currently alone in fifth place in the Conference USA standings, one full game behind fourth-place Charlotte (which plays at league leader UTEP on Saturday). Tech still has a shot to move into fourth place and earn a double bye in the Conference USA Tournament set for Birmingham in two weeks.
Can the Techsters revive the glory days?
“We have to take it one game at a time,” Summitt said. “This one is really, really big for us. It’s our last true road game of the year. It won’t be easy. We will have to play with toughness on both ends of the court. That was one area that I was proud of in the win (over North Texas).”
Tech leads the all-time series against Rice 11-6.