Louisiana Tech, Jacksonville State to meet in Conference USA tourney

RUSTON, La. — Louisiana Tech opens the Conference USA Tournament against fifth-seeded Jacksonville State today at 11:30 a.m. in VBC Propst Arena.

ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (13-18, 7-9)

The Lady Techsters have hit their stride at the right time heading into the Conference USA Tournament. Louisiana Tech has won four of its last five and six of its last seven, including a 61-51 win over Jacksonville State on Feb. 15 in Jacksonville.

Four Lady Techsters earned All-Conference USA honors, headlined by Anna Larr Roberson. Roberson picked up her third consecutive postseason award and her first as a member of the first team.

Salma Bates was named Conference USA honorable mention after having a stellar season. She averages 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game.

Freshmen Jianna Morris and Paris Guillory continue to have a solid opening act for their Lady Techster careers. Both were named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team.

Morris has started all 31 games at point guard for the Lady Techsters and is fourth on the team with 6.6 points a contest. Guillory averages 6.0 points and 2.1 boards a game.

ABOUT JACKSONVILLE ST. (12-16, 7-9)

Jacksonville State has won three of its previous four contests, including an 80-63 win over Florida International and a 74-70 victory over Sam Houston, to secure the fifth seed in the tournament.

The Gamecocks' offense is one of the most balanced in the league. They have 11 players averaging between 4.0 and 8.4 points a game. Bre'Anna Rhodes leads the way with 8.4, while Kristol Ayson averages 8.0.

Rhodes scored a season-high 20 against Alabama State and 16 against Florida International and Sam Houston during the Gamecocks' current streak.

Jacksonville State also hits the glass in an all-out team effort. Seven players average over 3.5 boards a game, with six of those at 4.0 or more.