Louisiana Tech set to host Southern Miss
RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech welcomes one of the hotter teams in Conference USA into the Thomas Assembly Center this afternoon when the Lady Techsters host Southern Miss at 2 p.m.
Louisiana Tech (1211, 4-6 C-USA) has won two straight games while Southern Miss (13-10, 5-5 C-USA) has won four straight and five of its last six contests.
Louisiana Tech hasn’t played since its 90-72 win over Florida Inernational a week ago and head coach Brooke Stoehr said the team has used the extra time to their benefit.
“We have spent a good bit of time working defensively and reinforcing the importance of playing fundamentally sound team defense,” said Stoehr.
“Moving with the ball and getting to midline and getting to help side and rotating. We have gotten a little extra rest. We need to finish strong. After this
one we play four straight on the road.”
After struggling offensively through its first five C-USA games where it averaged just 55.0 points per game, Tech has found its offensive stride. Over the last five games, Louisiana Tech is averaging 85.6 points per game and shooting 48 percent from the field and 43 percent from the three-point line. The Lady Techsters have scored 86 points or more in four of its last five games.
One big reason for Louisiana Tech’s offensive increase is the fact the Lady Techsters have received much more balanced scoring as of late. During the past five games, Kierra Anthony (21.2 ppg), Grayson Bright (12.0 ppg), Amber Dixon (11.2 ppg), Taylor Stahly (9.4 ppg), Bri Harris (9.0 ppg) and Raizel Guinto (8.8 ppg) have all been a big part of the offensive success.
Southern Miss has been winning with defense. Over its last six games (5-1 record), USM hasn’t allowed more than 57 points to any opponent as the opposition is averaging just 53.0 points per contest and for the year ranks No. 4 in the league allowing only 57.4 points per game.
Guard Shonte Hailes leads USM in scoring, averaging 10.9 points per game while Megan Brown is right behind Hailes with a 10.3 points per game clip.
Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series 8-6, including three straight wins in Ruston.
The Lady Techsters defeated Southern Miss 89-57 at the TAC last season. This will be the first of two games between the programs with Louisiana Tech returning to Hattiesburg on Feb. 23.