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Monday, Mar. 5 3:00pm ET
Louisiana Tech takes 15-game win streak into title game RECAP | BOX SCORE
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MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- Louisiana Tech's latest victory was nothing
out of the ordinary: a triumph built on balance, rebounding and effort.
Ayana Walker scored 17 points to lead six players in double
figures as the No. 6 Lady Techsters beat North Texas 74-57 on
Monday to reach the final of the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
The Lady Techsters (25-4) have won 15 consecutive games and 20 of
21, and will go for their sixth tournament title in a row on
Tuesday against Denver -- a 78-67 winner over Florida International.
"I knew it would be a difficult game," said Louisiana Tech
coach Leon Barmore, whose team has won 16 consecutive games in the
league tournament. "We can't just come out and blow people away.
We're simply not that good.
"But we are very great when it comes to heart and effort."
Walker also had 12 rebounds and was one of three Louisiana Tech
players to record double-doubles, forging a 49-35 rebounding
advantage over North Texas (19-10).
The Lady Techsters had trouble pulling away until a 26-4 run which included the final nine points of the first half.
Louisiana Tech stretched its 35-28 halftime lead to 22 points
with 5:37 left on Essence Perry's free throw.
"We certainly proved that not only are we a team that can play
with Tech, but if we could play 40 minutes, we could possibly beat
Louisiana Tech," North Texas coach Tinka Slinker said. "I am
extremely proud of what our kids did today."
Cheryl Ford had 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Takeisha Lewis
had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Louisiana Tech. Brooke Lassiter
added 11 points and Amber Obaze 10. Louisiana Tech hit 20 of 29
free throws.
Jalie Mitchell led North Texas with 19 points. Reserve Angel
Lewis scored 13 points.
"I thought in the first half we played really well," Mitchell
said. "We were hitting our shots and attacking them offensively.
We didn't shoot as well in the second half."
The Lady Techsters shot 43 percent from the floor while holding
North Texas to 31 percent.
Walker credited North Texas' different defensive looks with
keeping the game tight, but said her team's workhorse mentality
made the difference.
"They had a great game plan," Walker said. "We were just
rushing things. We just always look to come out and play hard at
all times. We know with our heart and effort that we can do
anything."
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