LA Tech blows out UT Tyler in women’s hoops opener

RUSTON – All 14 Bulldogs scored, anchored by sophomore Jalen Harris who poured in a career-high 25 points, as Louisiana Tech dominated UT Tyler with a final score of 112-71 in the regular season opener on Friday night inside the Thomas Assembly Center.

LA Tech (1-0) jumped all over UT Tyler (0-1) from the tip, racing out to a 14-1 lead just four minutes into the contest. The offensive explosion continued throughout, registering the most points in a single game since 2014.

“I want to say thanks to our fans and our band,” head coach Eric Konkol said post-game. “They were fantastic tonight. It was loud. It was so much fun getting back out there. I thought our team really fed off that energy. We got off to a good start, getting some turnovers and turning them into easy baskets. I am pleased with the way we shared the ball and took care of the basketball. We found some open looks.

“Defensively, we have work to do. We have some things we have to clean up, but I thought the effort was there. I am happy everybody contributed and played hard.”

It was only the 19th time in program history – this being Team No. 91 – that the Bulldogs scored at least 112 points in a contest. Up by 21 points at intermission, LA Tech really put the game away at the start of the second half.

Harris opened up the stanza with a three-pointer. Fellow sophomore DaQuan Bracey then had a stretch of seven straight points. Then came another triple by Harris, followed by two steals and fast-break dunks by Jacobi Boykins and Jy’lan Washington.

Next thing the Patriots knew, they were calling a timeout down 76-38 with 15:20 still to play in the game. The ‘Dogs ended up scoring 21 points in the first four-plus minutes in the half.

The starters did not see much more action after that, giving the five newcomers (plus redshirt freshman JaColby Pemberton) a chance to shine in their debuts. The trio of freshmen – Amorie Archibald, Anthony Duruji and Exavian Christon – combined to score 16 points.

Pemberton played 15 minutes and added six points while junior college transfers Kyle McKinley and Harrison Curry got on the scoreboard with a free throw apiece.

Harris was lights out on the offensive end, going 9-of-14 from the field with five three-pointers (one shy of tying his career high). Bracey was just as efficient, making 6-of-7 for 15 points to go along with his seven assists and zero turnovers.

“I told Jalen and DaQuan last year that they were freshmen, but I needed them to be sophomores,” Konkol said. “Now they are sophomores and they have to be juniors. They have to think that way because they have played a lot of minutes and been in a lot of situations. We need to have that type of leadership from them out on the court. I thought their energy and the way they found each other and their teammates made for some good offense.”

Lone senior Jacobi Boykins had a rare off night shooting the basketball, but still recorded 13 points, a team-high seven boards, two assists and three steals.

As a team, the Bulldogs shot a staggering 65 percent from the field (40-62) and 48 percent from three-point range (13-27).

UT Tyler managed to go 26-of-65 from the field for 40 percent and 9-of-20 from beyond the arc for 45 percent. The Patriots had three players score in double figures, led by Emeka Obukwelu who posted 14 points.

LA Tech continues its three-game home stand on Monday, Nov. 13 against SEMO. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

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