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Nov. 19, 2000
No. 8 Louisiana Tech 72, No. 13 Virginia 59
By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Louisiana Tech coach Leon Barmore was concernedhis team would be exhausted from playing three games in four days.
The Lady Techsters didn’t look like they needed any rest.
Ayana Walker scored 15 points to lead five players in double digits as No. 8Louisiana Tech advanced to the preseason NIT championship with a 72-59 win overNo. 13 Virginia on Sunday.
“After the first few minutes, I really thought we were going to be legweary,” Barmore said. “We really reached back, and that’s what pleased me.”
The Lady Techsters (3-1) needed that extra effort in the second half, asthey held off a Virginia (2-1) run. Louisiana Tech built a 43-32 lead, itslargest of the game, early in the second half.
But Virginia’s Telisha Quarles made three 3-pointers and Svetlana Volnayaadded one to make it 52-50 with 8:50 remaining.
“It was just disappointing to me our team didn’t respond better once we didcome back,” Cavaliers coach Debbie Ryan said.
The Lady Techsters got two 3-pointers from Essence Perry to help push thelead back to 62-55.
Brooke Lassiter scored 12 points, and Takeisha Lewis, Perry, and Amber Obazeeach scored 10. Walker and Obaze both had nine rebounds, as Louisiana Tech helda 39-20 rebounding edge.
Quarles scored 14 points, Schuye LaRue had 16 and Volnaya had 12 forVirginia. LaRue had 13 rebounds.
Texas plays No. 4 Purdue in the other semifinal game. The consolation andchampionship games are both Monday night.