Saturday, January 20
Ruston, LA
2 P.M.
Jacksonville State University
at
Louisiana Tech
Jax State Continues CUSA Action at Louisiana Tech
1/19/2024 11:41:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RUSTON, La. – Following a mixed bag of results in Conference USA play last week at home, Jacksonville State women's basketball returns to the road this weekend for an away matchup at Louisiana Tech. Saturday's league game in the Bayou State will tipoff at 2 p.m.
"The thing that we have battled all year is consistency from one game to the next and within games," head coach Rick Pietri said. "In the Liberty game, we shot the game extremely well from the perimeter. In the Western Kentucky game, we didn't. Those games were separated by two days. We have to find a way to be consistent in our output while continuing to be competitive."
The Gamecocks (6-9, 1-2) entered last Wednesday's home CUSA opener versus Liberty with an 0-1 mark in conference contests after suffering a 75-50 loss at FIU on Jan. 6. They were able to score a quick turnaround, however, as Pietri's squad sank 12 three-pointers en route to a 78-63 triumph. Although they could not replicate that performance on Saturday against Western Kentucky, the Red-and-White produced another strong showing against one of the best mid-majors in the nation in a 62-52 setback.
Montgomery native Bre'Anna Rhodes had an impressive week versus stout competition, averaging 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in those two CUSA showdowns. The junior forward tallied her first career double-double with a 12-point, 11-rebound performance on Saturday and continues to lead the team in scoring (9.2 points per game) and rebounding (5.1 rebounds per game). Kristol Ayson (7.4 points per game) and Jaz Spencer (6.5 points per game) have also had some big outings this season on the offensive end, and Anniston High School alum Asia Barclay (4.6 rebounds per game) has proven to be a solid contributor in crashing the boards.
Jax State will need their regular playmakers to stand out once again as they look to win in a hostile environment against an improved Louisiana Tech (7-11, 1-2) group.
The Lady Techsters played an experienced non-conference slate, losing nine straight games from Nov. 19 to Dec. 14, but rebounded just before the new year with wins over Alcorn State, California Baptist, South Alabama, and Abilene Christian. They opened CUSA play on Jan. 6 with a slim 66-62 triumph over Sam Houston, took defending conference champs Middle Tennessee to overtime last Wednesday, and fell 66-59 at Liberty on Sunday.
Eighth-year head coach Brooke Stoehr has a pair of electric scorers in senior guard Salma Bates and 6-foot-3 forward Anna Larr Roberson. Bates is tops on the squad with 11.7 points per game and has drained a team-best 38 long balls this winter. Roberson, a local product from nearby Cedar Creek High School, averages 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Bates, Roberson, freshman guard Jianna Morris, and 6-foot junior Silvia Nativi have started all 18 games for Louisiana Tech.
"Louisiana Tech is a team that has proven in this league, just in the short time that the conference season has begun, that they can compete with everybody," Pietri said. "They took Middle Tennessee to overtime, they have a win over Sam Houston, and they have a competitive loss to Liberty. It just goes to show you how balanced this league is. They have a very versatile lineup and they have a system that works for them. They'll be as big a challenge as anybody we'll face in the league."
Despite both having accomplished programs that date back decades, Jacksonville State and Louisiana Tech have never faced off on the hardwood. Pietri did meet up with the Lady Techsters once in his time as head coach at South Alabama. The New Orleans local's first USA team (2000-01) made the trip to Ruston, La., on Feb. 3, 2001, where they suffered a 71-46 loss to a top-ten ranked LT program. Stoehr was a junior for Louisiana Tech that season and ended up with 15 points and six rebounds that day.
"In 2000, (Stoehr) started at the two-guard position for Louisiana Tech," Pietri said. "She was a gritty, tough player and her teams have taken on her personality. I've followed her career from player to coach and she has been able to establish a consistently positive program in Ruston. We will have our hands full."
Saturday's game will be covered on ESPN+ and Logan Maddox will handle the Gamecock Sports Network broadcast. Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
"The thing that we have battled all year is consistency from one game to the next and within games," head coach Rick Pietri said. "In the Liberty game, we shot the game extremely well from the perimeter. In the Western Kentucky game, we didn't. Those games were separated by two days. We have to find a way to be consistent in our output while continuing to be competitive."
The Gamecocks (6-9, 1-2) entered last Wednesday's home CUSA opener versus Liberty with an 0-1 mark in conference contests after suffering a 75-50 loss at FIU on Jan. 6. They were able to score a quick turnaround, however, as Pietri's squad sank 12 three-pointers en route to a 78-63 triumph. Although they could not replicate that performance on Saturday against Western Kentucky, the Red-and-White produced another strong showing against one of the best mid-majors in the nation in a 62-52 setback.
Montgomery native Bre'Anna Rhodes had an impressive week versus stout competition, averaging 15.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in those two CUSA showdowns. The junior forward tallied her first career double-double with a 12-point, 11-rebound performance on Saturday and continues to lead the team in scoring (9.2 points per game) and rebounding (5.1 rebounds per game). Kristol Ayson (7.4 points per game) and Jaz Spencer (6.5 points per game) have also had some big outings this season on the offensive end, and Anniston High School alum Asia Barclay (4.6 rebounds per game) has proven to be a solid contributor in crashing the boards.
Jax State will need their regular playmakers to stand out once again as they look to win in a hostile environment against an improved Louisiana Tech (7-11, 1-2) group.
The Lady Techsters played an experienced non-conference slate, losing nine straight games from Nov. 19 to Dec. 14, but rebounded just before the new year with wins over Alcorn State, California Baptist, South Alabama, and Abilene Christian. They opened CUSA play on Jan. 6 with a slim 66-62 triumph over Sam Houston, took defending conference champs Middle Tennessee to overtime last Wednesday, and fell 66-59 at Liberty on Sunday.
Eighth-year head coach Brooke Stoehr has a pair of electric scorers in senior guard Salma Bates and 6-foot-3 forward Anna Larr Roberson. Bates is tops on the squad with 11.7 points per game and has drained a team-best 38 long balls this winter. Roberson, a local product from nearby Cedar Creek High School, averages 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest. Bates, Roberson, freshman guard Jianna Morris, and 6-foot junior Silvia Nativi have started all 18 games for Louisiana Tech.
"Louisiana Tech is a team that has proven in this league, just in the short time that the conference season has begun, that they can compete with everybody," Pietri said. "They took Middle Tennessee to overtime, they have a win over Sam Houston, and they have a competitive loss to Liberty. It just goes to show you how balanced this league is. They have a very versatile lineup and they have a system that works for them. They'll be as big a challenge as anybody we'll face in the league."
Despite both having accomplished programs that date back decades, Jacksonville State and Louisiana Tech have never faced off on the hardwood. Pietri did meet up with the Lady Techsters once in his time as head coach at South Alabama. The New Orleans local's first USA team (2000-01) made the trip to Ruston, La., on Feb. 3, 2001, where they suffered a 71-46 loss to a top-ten ranked LT program. Stoehr was a junior for Louisiana Tech that season and ended up with 15 points and six rebounds that day.
"In 2000, (Stoehr) started at the two-guard position for Louisiana Tech," Pietri said. "She was a gritty, tough player and her teams have taken on her personality. I've followed her career from player to coach and she has been able to establish a consistently positive program in Ruston. We will have our hands full."
Saturday's game will be covered on ESPN+ and Logan Maddox will handle the Gamecock Sports Network broadcast. Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Forward
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's BasketballMonday, March 30
Saturday, March 07
Saturday, February 21
Saturday, February 07
