WKU Women’s Basketball (14-12, 11-6 C-USA) was defeated by the LA Tech Lady Techsters (17-10, 10-7 C-USA) 70-65 on Thursday, February 23 in Ruston, Louisiana.

The Lady Toppers shot 31.3% from the field and were held to 22.6% from behind the arc. The Lady Techsters were sharp, shooting a field goal percentage of 48% and 35% from three. 

Junior guard Teresa Faustino led WKU with 16 points, going 3-4 from three. Sophomore guard Alexis Mead was another bright spot. Mead scored 10 and led the team in steals with four. 

In the first quarter LA Tech jumped out to an early lead. The red and white were 3-14 from the field in the quarter. The Lady Techsters were scorching hot in the quarter, hitting at 83% from the field. LA Tech led 23-12 at the end of the period. 

The second quarter was closely contested. The Lady Techsters cooled off, shooting a 31% field goal percentage and went 0-5 from the three point line. The Lady Toppers outscored the Lady Techsters 15-12. LA Tech led 35-27 at the end of the first half. 

The third quarter was sluggish for the Lady Toppers. They were 0-12 from three, struggling to get their offense going. WKU was able to slow down LA Tech, holding them to 19 points. At the end of the third quarter the score was 54-43 in favor of LA Tech.

The Lady Hilltoppers made it competitive in the fourth, never giving up. WKU scored 22, going 50% from both the field and three point line. Faustino hit two key threes to shorten the lead, but it was too late to save WKU. 

The Lady Toppers are set to take on UAB on Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m. CT in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Sports reporter Cole McIntire can be reached at [email protected] .