NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — Louisiana Tech used a dominant first quarter and superior interior play to defeat Delaware 65-50 in a women’s basketball game Thursday night at Bob Carpenter Center. The Lady Techsters opened a 20-14 lead after one quarter and maintained a double-digit advantage for most of the contest. Alexia Weaver led Louisiana Tech with 17 points, while Paris Bradley added 13 points and five assists. The visitors controlled the paint, outscoring Delaware 26-8 inside and holding a 12-6 edge in offensive rebounds. Delaware, led by Jiya Perry’s nine points, struggled from the field, shooting just 30.2%. The Blue Hens committed 19 turnovers, which Louisiana Tech converted into 15 points. The Lady Techsters improved to 8-5, while Delaware fell to 6-9.

NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters used a dominant defensive performance and a balanced scoring attack to secure a 65-50 victory over the Delaware Blue Hens in a Conference USA women’s basketball game Thursday night at the Bob Carpenter Center. Louisiana Tech (8-5) never trailed, establishing control with a 20-point first quarter and holding Delaware to its second-lowest scoring output of the season. The Lady Techsters’ defense was the story, forcing 19 turnovers which they converted into 15 points, while limiting the Blue Hens to just 13 made field goals on 43 attempts, a frigid 30.2 percent. The game’s decisive stretch came early. Louisiana Tech opened with an 8-0 run, fueled by two quick layups from Averi Aaron. Delaware (6-9) struggled to find any offensive rhythm, committing five turnovers in the first six minutes. While the Blue Hens managed to close the gap to 20-14 by the end of the opening period, they could not sustain any momentum against a persistent Techster defense that recorded nine steals. Alexia Weaver led all scorers with 17 points for Louisiana Tech, including three 3-pointers. Paris Bradley added 13 points and dished out a game-high five assists, while Jianna Morris contributed 10 points. Aaron, despite scoring only eight points, orchestrated the offense effectively with seven assists and was a disruptive force defensively. Delaware was led by Jiya Perry and Lay Fantroy, who each scored nine points. The Blue Hens stayed within reach largely due to a 16-for-19 performance from the free-throw line and making 8 of 17 from beyond the arc. However, their inability to score inside was glaring, as they managed only eight points in the paint compared to Louisiana Tech’s 26. The Blue Hens also assisted on just four of their 13 made baskets. After taking a 29-22 lead into halftime, Louisiana Tech methodically extended its advantage in the third quarter. A 7-0 run midway through the period, capped by a Hillary Dawson layup off a steal, pushed the lead to 38-29. Delaware could not mount a serious challenge in the fourth, as the Lady Techsters’ lead ballooned to as many as 19 points before settling at the final 15-point margin. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Louisiana Tech in conference play. The Lady Techsters improved their offensive efficiency, scoring 65 points on 67 possessions. Delaware, meanwhile, managed only 50 points on 65 trips, highlighting a night of offensive frustration. Delaware’s Claudia Clement, a freshman from Barcelona, Spain, saw limited action but scored two points and recorded an assist in seven minutes. The announced attendance was 701. Louisiana Tech next travels to face Liberty on Sunday. Delaware will look to rebound at home against Sam Houston on Saturday.

Preview: Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters at Delaware Blue Hens NEWARK, Del. (Interstat) — The Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters visit the Delaware Blue Hens in a Conference USA women’s basketball matchup on Thursday night at the Bob Carpenter Center. Louisiana Tech (7-5) looks to rebound from a narrow 67-64 home loss to Sam Houston on Jan. 2. The Lady Techsters have shown offensive firepower, averaging 74.2 points per game, but are 1-2 in their last three contests. Delaware (6-8) seeks to end a five-game skid, most recently falling 64-57 in overtime at New Mexico State on Sunday. The Blue Hens have struggled offensively during the losing streak, failing to reach 70 points in any of the five games. A key matchup will feature Louisiana Tech guard Paris Bradley against Delaware forward Ande’a Cherisier. Bradley, a consistent scoring threat, averages 16 points over her last four games, including a 19-point performance in a loss at LSU. Cherisier provides a strong interior presence for Delaware, coming off a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against New Mexico State. She has recorded double-doubles in two of her last five games. For Louisiana Tech, Kaleigh Thompson (16 points) and Jordan Marshall (10 points) provided support alongside Bradley in the loss to Sam Houston. Delaware’s Lay Fantroy nearly had a double-double with 8 points and 9 rebounds in the overtime defeat. The game marks the first conference meeting between the programs as new CUSA members. Louisiana Tech holds a slight edge in record, but has played only one true road game since late November, a 75-46 loss at Baylor. Delaware is 4-2 at home this season. Following this game, Louisiana Tech travels to face Liberty on Sunday. Delaware hosts Sam Houston on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday.