DENTON, Texas (AP) -- More incredible than the 19-0 first-half run that put No. 8 Louisiana Tech ahead to stay is the Lady Techsters' consistent success over nearly three decades.
Takeisha Lewis scored all seven of her first-half points in that game-turning run Thursday night as Louisiana Tech (13-4, 4-0 Sun Belt) went ahead to stay in a 75-63 victory at North Texas. It was Tech's 750th victory in just 27 seasons.
"What is so amazing is the consistency of the program," said Leon Barmore, who won for the 533rd time in his 19 seasons as Tech's coach. "It is an incredible story of what has happened in women's basketball at Louisiana Tech.
"We've been able to stay there, and that is very difficult."
Louisiana Tech's 750 victories, nearly 28 per year on average, is second only to the 835 by Tennessee in 56 seasons. The Lady Techsters and Lady Volunteers are the only two teams to play in all 19 NCAA women's tournaments.
North Texas (10-5, 2-2), which made its only NCAA Tournament
appearance 15 years ago, lost at home for the first time since last
Jan. 20 against UC-Santa Barbara. The Lady Eagles had won 11 in a
row at home and 26 of their previous 28 home games.
Ayanna Walker's short jumper with 7:46 left in the first half
started Tech's 19-0 run and tied the game at 24. Lewis followed
with two inside baskets and the Lady Techsters (13-4, 4-0 Sun Belt)
were ahead to stay. Lewis, a 6-foot-2 junior, later had another
putback after a missed 3-pointer.
"They made adjustments to the zone, especially on the baseline," said UNT coach Tina Slinker. "It was not really our lack of effort, but their talent in the paint."
After trailing by as many as eight points early, Louisiana Tech led 43-26 at halftime. The Lady Techsters maintained their double-digit lead in the second half, and led by as much as 19 in their 40th straight Sun Belt victory.
Walker had 23 points to lead Tech, while Lewis finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Lady Techsters, rebounding from a 71-55 loss to No. 1 Connecticut last weekend, scored 48 of their points in the paint.
"We called this the game after the game. We concentrated on not having a letdown, and to play with intensity and inspiration," Barmore said. "We got off to a bad start, but I credit our team for adjusting. When we were getting inside, they couldn't guard us."
Karen Lee and Jalie Mitchell had 22 points each to lead North Texas.
The Lady Eagles had two turnovers and trailed 5-0 before they
even took a shot. North Texas then scored eight straight points and
led 18-10 lead when Mitchell made a floating one-hander just before
the shot clock expired.
Louisiana Tech then started its comeback. The Lady Techsters made 12 of their last 19 shots in the first half.
|
|
ALSO SEE
Women's College Basketball Scoreboard
Louisiana Tech Clubhouse
North Texas Clubhouse
|
