Lady Techsters open CUSA play vs UTEP

Louisiana Tech’s talented freshmen class has provided exactly what you might expect through 11 non-conference games: a mix of ups and downs with flashes of potential that have caught even the most veteran of opponents off guard to go with miscues that remind you most of the Lady Techsters’ core this season was walking the halls of a high school at this time last year.

But their college experience is about to require a whole new level of intensity starting tonight as the Lady Techsters (7-4) open Conference USA action at home against the UTEP Miners (7-4).

What’s usually chalked up as cliché might be true for the Lady Techsters this season when people talk about league play being a ‘new season.’ In a lot of ways, that’s right for Jordan Marshall, Isla Airey, Paris Bradley, and all LA Tech’s newcomers this season – unfamiliar with CUSA opponents and what playing at this level requires night after night.

But for head coach Brooke Stoehr, managing a CUSA schedule for her ninth season, it’s an opportunity to give her freshmen another chance to rise above their inexperience and grow up on the fly.

Much is asked of Tech’s three core freshmen and by necessity, much is expected. But Stoehr wants her group to take the 18-game CUSA slate one game at a time, not worried about standings or preseason polls. All Stoehr wants is for her freshmen, along with a handful of veterans, is to play smart and within themselves.

“They’re all big,” Stoehr said. “I learned that you can’t look at a schedule and start counting wins. It’s just simple approach of one day at a time, how do we get better? It is extremely important you get off to a good start at home because it’s hard to win on the road. You’ve got to protect your home court the best you can and go try to steal some on the road.”

Stoehr wasn’t willing to make too big a deal of needing to win tonight’s opener to give her freshmen confidence, citing tough matchups with Baylor, TCU, and Stephen F. Austin as examples of her team not backing down from big moments, even if they came up short. Winning tonight is important, no doubt. But just because Tech’s roster is mostly underclassmen doesn’t mean Stoehr will add any more pressure than she already would.

Paris Bradley is a strong example in Tech’s freshmen class that appears to be figuring out how to play effectively, despite a slow start. In five games in December, Bradley averaged 13.2 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.6 steals – putting her at a team-best 29 assists on the season while averaging 9.9 ppg overall.

Bradley struggled out of the gates with turnovers and shots not falling but Stoehr credits her young guard for staying the course and believing in her work. It’s that stubborn approach to improve that Stoehr believes will carry Tech through league play.

“From day one when she got here, she has been an extremely competitive individual every single day. She loves to compete. She plays with a ton of passion,” Stoehr said of Bradley. “It doesn’t matter if we’re up 20 or down 10 if she gets an and-1 you’re gonna see it. She genuinely celebrates the little moments, but she celebrates her teammates really well. She’s very purposeful in her work and her approach.”

Jordan Marshall leads Tech in scoring (12.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.7) while Isla Airey is averaging 6.4 ppg to round out a solid group of freshmen starters who will be thrown into the fire tonight.