Louisiana Tech downed by UTEP in tourney
FRISCO, Texas — Louisiana Tech women's basketball fell to UTEP 64-54 in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament Thursday despite erasing a 13-point first-half deficit and grabbing a three-point lead in the third quarter.
Keiunna Walker led Louisiana Tech (19-12) with 19 points and five rebounds, hitting all nine free-throw attempts.
Anna Larr Roberson joined Walker in double figures with 12 points and added four rebounds.
Silvia Nativi posted an allaround stat line with four points, six rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals.
Elina Arike led four players in double figures with 15 points for UTEP (20-10).
Leading 38-28 at halftime, UTEP hit a three to start the third stanza and grab their largest lead at 41-28, but Louisiana Tech rallied for a 9-0 run to cut the lead to four with 6:12 left in the period.
Then Louisiana Tech added a 7-0 run that included a big three from Walker to regain the lead, 44-43, inside two minutes.
After that, Louisiana Tech held UTEP to eight third-quarter points to erase the halftime deficit and send the game into the fourth knotted at 46.
To start the fourth, Walker hit two free throws to give Louisiana Tech a two-point lead, but an 11-4 spurt by UTEP gave them a 57-52 lead with three minutes remaining.
However, Louisiana Tech could only muster two Walker free throws over the final four minutes as UTEP hit five free throws to pull away over the final stretch.
UP NEXT
Louisiana Tech will await a potential at-large bid for the 2023 WNIT next week.
The WNIT Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday.
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On the men's side, Louisiana
Tech topped Florida International 81-76 in overtime late Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs (15-17) faced No. 2 seed North Texas late Thursday night.
In the win over the Panthers, Keaston Willis had a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Dravon Mangum had a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Isaiah Crawford had 22 points and seven rebounds and Quandre Bullock chipped in with 10 points in the win.
Denver Jones had 25 points for the Panthers.