By Kevin Alabarez, Louisiana Tech Associate Director Strategic Communications; featured photo courtesy of Conference USA
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Louisiana Tech fell to Liberty 80-53 Friday evening in Propst Arena.
Louisiana Tech (16-15) couldn’t get anything going over the first five minutes, allowing Liberty (25-6) to get out to a 15-4 lead. The Lady Techsters used a timeout to regroup, and freshman Averi Aaron provided a spark out of the break. Aaron hit a three-pointer on Tech’s next possession.
On the Lady Flames’ next possession, Robyn Lee stole the ball and raced down the court for a layup. Liberty would answer with a three, but Aaron would answer with five straight points. Jordan Marshall would cut it to two at 18-16 with an offensive putback with two minutes to go. The Lady Flames would score the final four points of the quarter to take a 22-16 lead.
After starting the game 6-12 from the field, LA Tech’s offense would go cold over the next two quarters. The Techsters would score just 16 points on 5-24 over the second and third.
The Lady Techster offense picked back up over the final 10 minutes, scoring 21 points on 6-9 shooting. However, Liberty continued their hot hand and never allowed Tech to get close.
Louisiana Tech finished 17-45 from the field, 7-18 from long range, and 12-16 from the free throw line. Aaron had 16 points and seven rebounds to lead the Techsters. Paris Bradleywas the only other Tech player in double figures with 11.
Avery Mills led Liberty with 17 points, while Elisabeth Aegisdottir had 13 points and seven boards. The Lady Flames finished 29-57 from the field, 8-20 from behind the arc, and 14-17 from the charity stripe.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Brooke Stoehr
“You have to give Liberty credit. You saw a well-balanced team that moved the ball well and scored it well. Our defensive intensity and pressure were not what it needed to be, especially with that much balance.”
“You have to focus so much on their interior, and then they’ve got everybody that can shoot it on the perimeter. I’m really proud of our group. We’re at 18-16, and they go on to the second quarter, where it felt like we couldn’t score for a while. But I’m really, really proud of our group and how they’ve grown. We’ve had a lot of young players this year, and an old veteran that did a great job leading them. It’s always hard to end, but I’m really proud that I get to be their coach and hang out with this group of young women.”
NOTABLES
Louisiana Tech dropped to 4-1 all-time against Liberty.
Robyn Lee finished with 1,059 points in her career.
Averi Aaron finished the season with four straight double figures scoring games.
Paris Bradley had an assist in every game this season.
Paris Bradley ranks No. 9 with 438 points, No. 10 at 91 assists, No. 3 with 41 three-pointers, No. 3 at 126 attempts, No. 6 in free throws attempts at 136, No. 4 in makes with 11 and tied for third with 984 minutes among Lady Techster freshman.
Jordan Marshall is No. 8 with 262 rebounds, No. 3 with 166 free throw attempts, and No. 3 with 115 makes for Lady Techster freshman.
Isla Airey had the fifth most blocks by a Techster freshman with 48.
Jianna Morris ranks No. 4 with 153 free throw attempts, No. 3 with 120 FT makes, No. 2 with 149 threes attempts, No. 3 with 52 makes, and No. 4 with 1,052 minutes for Lady Techster sophomores.