Techsters pull away late to down FIU

RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech used an 11-0 run over the final four minutes of the contest to lift it to a 62-52 win over FIU Saturday afternoon at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Tech (13-13, 5-10) trailed 52-51 after a pair of free throws by FIU (5-21, 2-13) with 3:52 to play but Amber Dixon’s layup less than 30 seconds later started an 11-0 game-ending run. Raizel Guinto hit a momentum-changing three-pointer with 2:11 to play to push the advantage to six and FIU never recovered.

FIU missed its final seven field goal attempts of the contest as Tech defeated the Golden Panthers for the second time in nine games.

“What I was most proud of was when we got behind late, we didn’t hang our heads,” said Tech head coach Brooke Stoehr. “We stayed composed and made some plays on both ends of the floor. We struggled to score today, but with the game on the line late, we found a way.”

Tech lead 15-11 at the end of the first quarter and 35-27 at halftime in a game that saw the Lady Techsters build as much as a 13-point first half lead. FIU fought to close the deficit to 43-38 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.

FIU took a 50-49 lead on a three-pointer with 5:18 to play, the Golden Panthers first lead since leading 5-3 early in the first quarter.

Dixon led Tech with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists while Grayson Bright added 10 points and Anna Larr Roberson added 10 points.

Tech returns to action Saturday when it hosts Rice at 2 p.m.