Lady Techster History

When Louisiana Tech President F. Jay Taylor appointed physical education instructor Sonja Hogg as the first head coach in the history of the Lady Techsters women’s basketball program in 1973, very few people ever dreamed it was the birth of one of the premier programs in the country - but history proves this to be a fact.

“There was no way to expect the outpouring of devotion when it all started back in 1974,” Hogg said. “Of course, we couldn’t really envision the scope and magnitude of what might be accomplished by this program, either.”

Hogg and Taylor were staples in the program’s early success, and the addition of a young Leon Barmore as an assistant in 1977 and eventually the head coach in 1982 only strengthened an already dominating Lady Techsters program. After 20 years as head coach of Tech, Barmore retired Aug. 22, 2002, as the winningest coach percentage wise in the history of collegiate basketball -- men’s or women’s -- with an incredible mark of 576-87 (.869).

One day after Barmore’s announcement, Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Jim Oakes named Kurt Budke as the third head coach in the illustrious history of Lady Techster basketball. Budke responded by leading the Lady Techsters to a 31-3 record and the Sweet 16 of the 2003 NCAA Tournament in his first year.

Following the season, Budke departed Tech and President Dan Reneau and Athletic Director Jim Oakes along with the Tech Athletic Council decided to promote six-year assistant coach Chris Long as the fourth head coach in the program’s history.

Long’s first season was a success as he was named the WAC Coach of the Year after leading Tech to a 26-5 mark and the program’s 25th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Former Kodak All-American, Wade Trophy winner and WNBA AllStar Teresa Weatherspoon was promoted from associate head coach to the fifth head coach in the program’s history in April of 2009 after she guided the Lady Techsters to a 9-2 mark over the final 11 games of the 2008-09 season and a share of the WAC regular season title.

In 2010-11 she led the Lady Techsters back to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in two years as Tech captured the WAC regular season title with a 15-1 record. The Lady Techsters 66-59 win over Nevada in the WAC Tournament semifinals also marked the 1000th win in program history as Tech joined Tennessee as the only two programs to reach the milestone.

Heading into the 42nd season, Louisiana Tech welcomed the sixth head coach in program history as Tyler Summitt -- son of legendary Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt -- took over the reins for two years.

Following Summitt’s two-year stint in Ruston, Louisiana Tech hired one of its own in Brooke (Lassiter) Stoehr and her husband Scott. In their first two years at the helm of the program, the duo directed the Lady Techsters to back-to-back postseason appearances as Tech played in the 2017 and 2018 WNIT.

The LA Tech program is still considered one of the top women’s basketball programs in the history of the game, and rightly so. The numbers tell the story.

No one can argue the incredible success this mid-major school has seen on the women’s basketball front over the years. The stories are numerous and the memories are various - however, the results have always been the same ... a winning tradition.

|1974-1980|

Record: 148-45 (.766) Head Coach: Sonja Hogg (1974-1980). Conference Titles: no conference affiliation. NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 (1978-79/AIAW; 1979-80/AIAW). Kodak All-American Selections: 1 (Pam Kelly, 1979-80). Wade Trophy Winners: 0. Final Fours: 2 (1978-79/AIAW; 1979-80/AIAW). National Championship Titles: 0

1975

Louisiana Tech embarked on its new adventure Jan. 7, 1975, when the 12-member Lady Techster squad under the direction of Coach Sonja Hogg lost to Southeastern Louisiana 59-55 at Memorial Gym in Ruston.

The Lady Techsters would rebound and post the school’s first ever victory Jan. 24, when Tech downed Louisiana State University 97-83 in Memorial Gym.

Tech eventually finished the regular season 11-7 before splitting four games at the Louisiana AIAW State Tournament. Tech’s season ended with a two-point defeat to McNeese State at the tournament, but the foundation had been set for years to come.

Statistical Leaders: Belinda Jones, 22.5 ppg; LaVerne Henderson, 15.6 rpg (still school record) Honors: Mickie DeMoss — All-Louisiana

1975-76

Tech’s second year of women’s basketball proved to be even better than the first as the Lady Techsters posted a 19-10 record. Tech’s

14-member roster was comprised of all Louisiana athletes with freshman Kay Ford and sophomore Mary Robertson coming from farthest away — Alexandria, La., located less than 100 miles from Ruston.

Hogg’s team opened the season with two convincing wins over Ouachita Baptist and Nicholls State before dropping a 74-63 decision to Panola Junior College. On three separate occasions during the season, Tech posted four-game winning streaks.

Once again the Lady Techsters earned a bid to the Louisiana AIAW State Tournament where they won two games before being ousted by LSU.

Statistical Leaders: Kay Ford, 18.5 ppg; Belinda Jones, 13.4 rpg Honors: Ford, Mandy Warren, DeMoss — All-Louisiana

1976-77

The Lady Techsters posted the first of 23 20-plus winning seasons by registering a 22-9 mark and earning the school’s first ever trip to the AIAW Regional Tournament.

Once again an all-Louisiana roster rolled along as the Techsters posted a 15-7 regular season mark before entering the state AIAW Tournament for the third consecutive year.

However, this time Tech’s balanced attack - featuring four players averaging double figures -was simply too much for opponents as the Lady Techsters captured the state title by winning four consecutive games.

In the regional tournament, Tech opened with a convincing victory over Oklahoma State before falling to Baylor in a tight contest. Two more Lady Techster wins, over Texas-Arlington and Northwestern State, advanced them to the title game where they fell 94-85 to Texas.

Statistical Leaders: Elinor Griffin, 16.0 ppg; Griffin, 13.3 rpg Honors: Kay Ford, Belinda Jones, Griffin — All-Louisiana

1977-78

Although the Lady Techsters posted another 20-win season and earned its second trip to the AIAW Regional Tournament, the big news was the hiring of a 33-year-old assistant named Leon Barmore.

Barmore, who lettered for the Tech men’s program for three years, came to Tech after coaching in the high school ranks for 11 seasons at Bastrop and Ruston High Schools. Barmore’s vast coaching knowledged combined with Hogg’s recruiting prowess formed one of the most talented coaching staffs in the country.

On the playing court, Tech posted a 20-8 record on the road to earning the school’s first ever national ranking. After making its third straight appearance in the AIAW Regional Tournament and splitting four games, the Lady Techsters ended the season ranked 20th in the country.

1978-79

The 1978-79 season saw Louisiana Tech turn the corner and develop into one of the top teams in the country. The Lady Techsters shattered the school record for victories with a 34-4 record and earned their first trip to the AIAW National Tournament.

Led by freshman post player Pam Kelly, Tech recorded a regular season mark of 24-3 (the three losses were by a combined four points). After coasting through the state and regional tournaments, the Lady Techsters won their first national post-season contest defeating Kansas 100-61. Two more victories over Northwestern and Tennessee moved Tech into the National Championship game against Old Dominion where the Lady Techsters lost 75-65.

Tech ended the season ranked No. 2 in the country. The Lady Techsters also posted milestone victory No. 100 defeating Southern 105-83 in the LAIAW Tournament.

Statistical Leaders: Pam Kelly, 19.0 ppg; Elinor Griffin, 11.1 rpg; Mary Nell Kendrick, 7.2 apg Honors: Angela Turner — Louisiana MVP; Kelly, Griffin — All-Louisiana

1979-80

Expectations were high entering the season as Tech returned the nucleus of its national title game team and Lady Techster fans would not be disappointed. Once again the Lady Techsters cruised through the regular season before advancing through the state and regional AIAW Tournaments.

Tech defeated Kansas and Long Beach State to earn its second Final Four appearance before falling to Old Dominion and South Carolina to finish fourth in the country. The 40-5 mark still stands as the national and school record for the most victories in a season.

Once again Pam Kelly dominated inside, scoring 932 points during the season, a mark that still stands in the Tech record books. Kelly earned the program’s first Kodak All-American honor for her efforts.

Statistical Leaders: Pam Kelly, 20.7 ppg; Kelly, 10.9 rpg; Jennifer White, 8.1 apg Honors: Kelly — Kodak All-American, All-Louisiana; Angela Turner — AllLouisiana

|1980-1990|

Record: 312-25 (.926) Head Coach: Sonja Hogg (1980-1985), Leon Barmore (1982-1990) Conference Titles: 3 American South titles (1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10 (1980-81/AIAW; 1981-82, 82-83, 83-84, 84-85, 85-86, 86-87, 87-88, 88-89, 89-90). Final Fours: 8 (1980-81/AIAW; 198182, 82-83, 83-84, 86-87, 87-88, 88-89, 89-90). National Championship Titles: 3 (1980-81/AIAW; 1981-82, 1987-88). Kodak All-American Selections: 9 Pam Kelly, 80-81, 81-82; Angela Turner, 1981-82; Janice Lawrence, 1983-84; Pam Gant, 1984-85; Teresa Weatherspoon, 1986-87, 1987-88; Nora Lewis, 1988-89; Venus Lacy, 1989-90 Wade Trophy Winners: 3 Pam Kelly, 1981-82; Janice Lawrence, 1983-84; Teresa Weatherspoon, 1987-88

1980-81

This was a special season. After coming so close to winning a national championship the previous two years, Louisiana Tech had its eyes set on one goal entering the season - claiming the national title.

1980-1981 ROSTER

24 Lyn Anastasio 5-9 Fr. Hampton, Va. 41 Pam Kelly 6-0 Jr. Columbia, La. 51 Janice Lawrence 6-3 Fr. Lucedale, Miss 20 Kim Mulkey 5-4 Fr. Hammond, La. 32 Ann Pendegrass 5-8 Jr. Ruston, La. 34 Debbie Primeaux 5-2 Fr. Bell City, La. 44 Debra Rodman 6-2 Fr. Dallas, Texas 52 Rita Rust 5-7 So. Shreveport, La. 25 Lori Scott 5-10 So. Jackson, Miss. 50 Tia Sossamon 6-2 So. Raymore, Mo. 5 Angela Turner 5-8 Jr. Saline, La. 10 Julie Wilkerson 5-8 So. Tioga, La. 15 Jennifer White 5-9 So. Loretto, Tenn.

1980-81 (34-0) NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Coach: Sonja Hogg A Louisiana Col W 102-70 H McNeese State W 101-48 H Wayland Baptist W 89-40 H South Carolina W 97-70 A UL-Monroe W 90-50 H Tennessee W 77-53 N Kansas W 75-72 N Rutgers W 67-60 H Mississippi Col W 89-53 H SLU W 110-57 H Louisiana Col. W 100-60 N Oral Roberts W 94-67 H Stephen F. Austin W 81-57 H Old Dominion W 81-47 A San Francisco W 69-58 A Cal St-Long Bch W 78-73 A UCLA W 99-61 A UNLV W 97-73 H UL-Monroe W 95-53 H NW (La) State W 115-67 H SLU W 101-56 A Stephen F. Austin W 79-61 A Mississippi Col. W 92-45 A Old Dominion W 75-59

LAIAW STATE TOURNAMENT

N New Orleans W 121-59 N NW (La.) State W 90-36 N Southern W 86-59

AIAW REGION 4 TOURNAMENT

N Oklahoma W 88-68 N Southern W 75-58 A Stephen F. Austin W 98-67

AIAW NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

H Jackson State W 97-50 H UCLA W 87-54 N Southern Calif. W 66-50 N Tennessee W 79-59

Starters:

C-Pam Kelly 20.3, 9.1 F-Janice Lawerence 14.9, 8.3 G-Angela Turner 13.6, 5.4 F-Lori Scott 10.1, 7.4 G-Jennifer White 6.1, 4.1apg

Top Subs:

Debra Rodman 9.1, 7.9 Kim Mulkey 7.4, 5.8apg

However, no one envisioned the dominating performance the Lady Techsters would put on throughout the year, destroying the competition on its way to a perfect 34-0 record and the school’s first AIAW National Championship title.

After defeating Southern California 66-50 in the semifinal game of the Final Four in Eugene, Oregon, Tech faced Tennessee. The contest was nationally televised on NBC-TV as the nation watched Tech down the Lady Vols 79-59 in what would eventually become the top rivalry in women’s basketball.

The win marked the 27th time in 34 games that the Lady Techsters had won by 20 or more points. “We knew with the schedule we were playing that it would be exciting for our fans and that we would certainly find out how good we were,” said Leon Barmore.

However, perhaps only Street & Smith’s had the foresight to know as the preseason publication had picked Tech to win it all in October. It wouldn’t be Tech’s last.

Statistical Leaders: Pam Kelly, 17.5 ppg; Kelly, 9.5 rpg; Kim Mulkey, 5.8 apg Honors: Kelly — Kodak All-American; Angela Turner — Final Four MVP

1981-1982 ROSTER

23 Sandra Felton 5-9 Fr. Cordele, Ga. 22 Pam Gant 5-7 Fr. Joliet, Ill 41 Pam Kelly 6-0 Sr. Columbia, La. 51 Janice Lawrence 6-3 So. Lucedale, Miss 20 Kim Mulkey 5-4 So. Hammond, La. 32 Ann Pendergrass 5-8 Sr. Ruston, La. 34 Debbie Primeaux 5-2 So. Bell City, La. 44 Debra Rodman 6-2 So. Dallas, Texas 52 Rita Rust 5-7 Sr. Shreveport, La. 25 Lori Scott 5-10 Jr. Jackson, Miss. 50 Tia Sossamon 6-2 Jr. Raymore, Mo. 5 Angela Turner 5-8 Sr. Saline, La. 10 Julie Wilkerson 5-8 Jr. Tioga, La. 15 Jennifer White 5-9 Jr. Loretto, Tenn.

1981-82 (35-1) NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Coach: Sonja Hogg N Illinois State W 71-56 N Stephen F. Austin W 97-59 N Kansas W 70-39 H Mississippi Col. W 100-55 A New Orleans W 106-59 A McNeese State W 80-38 H Valdosta State W 97-54 H Tulane W 103-50 H Illinois State W 67-42 N Rutgers W 83-73 N Old Dominion W 68-51 H UL-Monroe W 102-47 A South Carolina W 71-58 A Tennessee W 72-64 H Montclair State W 95-48 A Stephen F. Austin W 69-59 H Cal St-Long Bch W 74-46 H Oral Roberts W 94-53 A Clemson W 68-63 N Georgia W 83-60 A Old Dominion L 61-58 A Maryland W 73-56 A UL-Monroe W 93-40 H Baylor W 104-61 H S F Austin W 105-58 H Alcorn State W 108-47 H McNeese State W 113-60 H UCLA W 103-63 A Oklahoma W 101-57 A Oral Roberts W 89-51 A Mississippi Col W 94-52

NCAA TOURNAMENT

H Tennessee Tech W 114-53 H Arizona State W 92-54 H Kentucky W 82-60 N Tennessee W 69-46 N Cheyney State W 76-62

Starters:

C-Pam Kelly 20.3, 9.1 F-Janice Lawerence 14.7, 7.0 G-Angela Turner 10.4, 4.9 F-Lori Scott 10.1, 7.4 G-Kim Mulkey 5.6, 5.6apg

Top Subs:

Debra Rodman 9.1, 7.9 Jennifer White 3.8, 4.1apg

1981-82

The 1982-83 season brought with it much change for the Lady Techsters. Gone were three-time Kodak All-American Pam Kelly and one-time All-American Angela Turner. Also, Leon Barmore was promoted to co-Head Coach before the start of the season.

Probably the biggest change for the program was a new home as the 8,000-seat Thomas Assembly Center opened, replacing old Memorial Gym.

However, one thing did remain the same as the Lady Techsters kept rolling along, earning a fifth straight Final Four and a third straight title game appearance.

The only thing that stood in the way of another perfect season was Southern California who defeated the Lady Techsters twice, in the home opener at the TAC (64-58) and in the national title game (69-67).

Tech finished the season 31-2.

Statistical Leaders: Janice Lawrence, 20.7 ppg; Debra Rodman, 10.7 rpg; Kim Mulkey, 7.0 apg Honors: Lawrence — Kodak All-American, State MVP; Lori Scott — AllLouisiana; Kim Mulkey — All-Louisiana

1983-84

The one-two combination of Janice Lawrence and Kim Mulkey returned for their senior seasons with hopes of reclaiming the national title.

And after starting the season with 18 straight wins, including a 75-66 win over Southern California at the TAC, it looked like little could stop Barmore and Hogg’s team.

Only two close losses against Memphis State and Old Dominion blemished Tech’s regular season mark and the Lady Techsters cruised through the first three rounds of the NCAA Tournament to advance to a sixth straight Final Four.

However, for the second season in a row, Tech was knocked off by Southern California in the Final Four as the Lady Techsters ended the year 30-3.

Statistical Leaders: Janice Lawrence, 21.3 ppg; Debra Rodman, 9.4 rpg; Kim Mulkey, 7.3 apg Honors: Lawrence — Kodak All-American, Wade Trophy, Louisiana MVP; Mulkey — Naismith Small POY, All-Louisiana; Pam Gant — AllLouisiana

As dominating as the previous years Tech team was, the 1981-82 squad might have been the best ever. Although they did falter once during the season, the Lady Techsters marched through the playoffs and captured the first national championship game in NCAA history.

In addition to its second straight national title, Tech set a women’s collegiate basketball record with 54 consecutive victories (the streak was snapped in a 61-58 loss at Old Dominion in the middle of the season), was ranked No. 1 for every week of the season for the second straight year, another record, and once again closed out the season on national television.

Tech’s record-setting starting lineup was comprised of Pam Kelly, Lori Scott, Angela Turner, Kim Mulkey and Janice Lawrence. The Lady Techsters 76-62 win over Cheyney State in the championship game was once again nationally televised.

During the course of the season, Tech won the 200th game in the program’s history with a 94-53 victory over Oral Roberts in Ruston.

Statistical Leaders: Pam Kelly, 20.3 ppg; Kelly, 9.1 rpg; Kim Mulkey, 5.6 apg. Honors: Kelly — Kodak All-American, Wade Trophy; Angela Turner — Kodak All-American; Janice Lawrence — Final Four MVP

1984-85

Although a number of impressive streaks ended, this was another exciting season of Lady Techster basketball. Tech opened the year with 18 straight wins, including a memorable 79-77 overtime victory over I-20 and Top 25 rival UL-Monroe in front of a Thomas Assembly Center record crowd of 8,975.

Tech stumbled at the midway point, dropping three of five games, including a loss in the rematch against ULM. However, the Lady Techsters - in Hogg’s last season as coach - won seven straight games to end the regular season and gain momentum entering the NCAA Tournament. After two lopsided wins in the first two rounds, Tech and ULM faced off for a third time, with the Lady Indians prevailing 85-76. The loss prevented two streaks from continuing as Tech’s 29-4 mark ended a string of six straight years with 30 or more wins and it also prevented the Lady Techsters from earning a seventh straight Final Four. Tech did capture the 300th win in the program’s history with a 78-59 victory over Oral Roberts.

Statistical Leaders: Pam Gant, 23.6 ppg; Tori Harrison, 9.2 rpg; Teresa Weatherspoon, 7.2 apg; Honors: Gant — Kodak All-American, All-Louisiana

1985-86

A new era began in 1985-86 as Leon Barmore took over the sole reigns of the Lady Techsters after Sonja Hogg’s retirement.

Barmore led a relatively young team - featuring only one senior - to a 25-4 regular season mark, including impressive road victories over Tennessee, Alabama and Oklahoma State. Tech was 13-1 on the season before freshman Nora Lewis, who was averaging 13.3 points and 7.1 rebounds, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The Lady Techsters entered the NCAA Tournament and promptly defeated Washington and Long Beach State before exiting with a 80-64 loss to Southern California in the third round.

Tech ended the season with an impressive 27-5 mark, and Barmore claimed milestone victory No. 100 in a win over UCLA Jan. 4, 1986, in Ruston.

Statistical Leaders: Tori Harrison, 16.3 ppg; Harrison, 7.7 rpg; Teresa Weatherspoon, 7.9 apg Honors: Harrison — All-Louisiana

1986-87

Entering the season, no one had higher expectations than Head Coach Leon Barmore. With the nucleus of the previous year’s team returning, everyone in Ruston, La., had their sights set on a return to the Final Four.

Tech would not disappoint as the Lady Techsters posted a 26-2 regular season record including victories over Tennessee, Georgia and Old Dominion. The Lady Techsters entered the NCAA Tournament and promptly defeated Northwestern, Southern Illinois and Iowa to earn a trip to the Final Four.

Tech narrowly defeated Texas in the semifinal game and earned a spot in the showdown with Tennessee for the national title. However, the Lady Techsters struggled from the field and lost 67-44.

Tech ended the season 30-3. Statistical Leaders: Tori Harrison, 16.8 ppg; Nora Lewis, 7.8 prg; Teresa Weatherspoon, 8.2 apg; Honors: Harrison — State MVP; Weatherspoon — Kodak All-American, All-Louisiana

1987-88

Just call them the Cardiac Kids. After losing so convincingly in the national championship game the season before, Louisiana Tech felt it had plenty to prove entering the season - its first as a member of the newlyformed American South Conference.

After Tech shot out of the gates winning the first 20 games of the season, including only one by less than 10 points, they dropped two consecutive last second contests against Tennessee and Penn State. The losses would be the last of the season.

After easily claiming the ASC regular season and tournament titles,

1987-1988 ROSTER

23 Tatia Brown 5-10 Jr. Tulsa, Okla. 15 Melinda Chambless 5-5 Sr. Chatham, La. 22 Phoebe Dunn 5-8 So. Abernathy, Texas 3 Sheila Ethridge 5-8 So. Ruston, La. 4 Lisa Harvey 5-7 Jr. Benton Harbor, Minn. 43 Venus Lacy 6-4 So. Chattanooga, Tenn. 14 Angela Lawson 5-8 Sr. Longview, Texas 40 Nora Lewis 6-0 Jr. Peoria, Ill. 33 Beanie Lincoln 6-0 Jr. Summerville, S.C. 13 Terri Meyer 5-8 Fr. Levelland, Texas 30 Paulette Stall 5-10 Jr. La Crosse, Wisc. 50 Jocelyn Watson 6-0 So. McNeil, Ark. 11 Teresa Weatherspoon 5-8 Sr. Pineland, Texas 44 Erica Westbrooks 6-3 Sr. Camden, Ark.

1987-88 (32-2) NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Coach: Leon Barmore N E. Washington W 107-57 H Washington W 70-50 A Georgia W 79-59 H UNLV W 91-63 H Arkansas State W 113-50 H Alcorn State W 98-52 H UL-Monroe W 81-50 N Nicholls State W 92-42 N Pepperdine W 72-61 A Nevada-Reno W 80-46 H Kentucky W 95-63 H Colorado W 66-59 H Texas Tech W 107-62 H Drake W 88-56 H Utah W 83-58 A Oklahoma State W 85-62 A Kansas State W 77-45 H Lamar W 106-49 H UL-Lafayette W 88-35 A S F Austin W 69-51 A Penn State L 66-62 A Tennessee L 76-74 A Old Dominion W 68-65 H UTPA W 98-21 A UL-Monroe W 71-43 A Tulane W 92-62 A New Orleans W 74-57

ASC TOURNAMENT

H Lamar W 93-67 H New Orleans W 86-64

NCAA TOURNAMENT

H Kansas W 89-50 N Mississippi W 80-60 A Texas W 83-80OT N Tennessee W 68-59 N Auburn W 56-54

Starters

F-Erica Westbrooks 14.6, 7.2 C-Venus Lacy 14.5, 9.2 F-Nora Lewis 13.6, 9.8 G-Angela Lawson 11.2, 3.6 G-T Weatherspoon 9.1, 6.0apg

Top Subs:

Sheila Ethridge 7.9, 3.5 Paulette Stall 6.0, 2.9

the Lady Techsters entered the NCAA Tournament and downed Kansas and Mississippi, setting up a third-round game against Texas in Austin.

In what is still remembered as a classic, Tech downed the Lady Longhorns 83-80 in overtime to advance to yet another Final Four. The Lady Techsters got revenge over the earlier loss to Tennessee by downing the Lady Vols 68-59, setting up the national title game against Auburn.

Just when it looked like Tech would drop a second straight title game - trailing by 14 at halftime - the Lady Techsters unloaded in the second half and won its third national championship 56-54 in Tacoma, Wash.

“We were on the floor, flat on our backs,” Barmore said. “You find out a lot about yourself when you’re down. I’m proud that when we were down we had the kids on the floor who could get up and come back.”

Tech ended the season 32-2.

Statistical Leaders: Erica Westbrooks, 14.6 ppg; Nora Lewis, 9.8 rpg; Teresa Weatherspoon, 6.0 apg Honors: Westbrooks — Final Four MVP; Weatherspoon — Kodak AllAmerican, Wade Trophy

1988-89

After graduating three starters off its national championship team, many people thought this season would be a rebuilding one. However, Leon Barmore worked his magic again, posting a 32-4 mark.

Tech cruised through the regular season, suffering close losses against Tennessee (twice) and Colorado, while claiming second straight ASC regular season and tournament titles. Tech downed Oklahoma State, LSU and Stanford to advance to another Final Four before Auburn ousted the Lady Techsters 76-71.

During the course of the season two more milestones were set as the program won its 400th game in a 79-51 victory over Holy Cross, while Barmore won his 200th game as Tech defeated Arkansas State 91-46 Feb. 11, 1989, in Ruston.

Statistical Leaders: Venus Lacy, 21.3 ppg; Lacy, 11.9 rpg; Pam Wells, 2.7 apg Honors: Lacy — ASC MVP; Lewis — Kodak All- American, All-ASC; Shelia Ethridge — All-ASC; Paulette Stall — All-ASC

1989-90

Louisiana Tech ended the decade of the ‘80s with a bang. Tech breezed through the regular season, winning all 27 games and claiming its third straight American South Conference regular season and tournament titles.

The Lady Techsters took their No. 1 ranking into the NCAA Tournament and had little trouble defeating Southern Mississippi, Purdue and Texas before falling to Auburn in the national semifinals.

In addition to the 32-1 record, Leon Barmore earned national coach of the year honors and was also named the co-Coach of the Decade along with Tennessee’s Pat Summitt. Barmore posted a 243-24 mark during the decade.

Statistical Leaders: Venus Lacy, 24.2 ppg; Lacy, 12.7 rpg; Shantel Hardison, 6.8 apg Honor: Shantel Hardison All-ASC; Shelia Ethridge — All-ASC; Lacy — Kodak All-American, ASC MVP, National Player of the Year

|1990-2000|

Record: 277-53 (.839) Head Coach: Leon Barmore (1990-2000); Conference Titles: 8 Sun Belt titles (1992-93, 93-94, 94-95, 95-96, 96-97, 97-98, 98-99, 99-2000). NCAA Tournament Appearances: 10 (every year); Final Fours: 3 (1993-94, 97-98, 98-99). National Championship Titles: 0. Kodak All-American Selections: 5 Vickie Johnson, 1993-94, 94-95; Debra Williams, 94-95; Amanda Wilson, 1998-99; Tamicha Jackson, 1999-2000 Wade Trophy Winners: 0

1990-91

As wonderful as the decade of the ‘80s was for Louisiana Tech, the ‘90s didn’t start as smoothly as the Lady Techsters posted a record of 18-12.

The losses were the most in the history of the program, while the 18 wins were the fewest since the inaugural 1974-75 season. After starting the season 3-0, Tech set another school record with three straight defeats at the hands of LSU, UNLV and Notre Dame.

After ending the regular season 16-11, Tech was in jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. However, an exhilarating 77-76 win over Lamar in the finals of the American South Conference Tournament kept the streak alive.

The Lady Techsters would exit the NCAA Tournament after a first round loss at California State-Fullerton, the earliest exit ever.

Statistical Leaders: Shelia Ethridge, 25.2 ppg (still school record); Danielle Whitehurst, 8.1 rpg; Lisa Payne, 2.9 apg Honors: Ethridge—All-American South

1991-92

This proved to be a transition year as the American South joined the Sun Belt Conference. On the hardwood, the Lady Techsters tried to regain their old form, but struggled through another season of mediocrity at 20-10.

Barmore’s team failed to win either the SBC regular season or tournament titles, but did receive an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. However, it was one and out as Tech fell 77-71 in overtime at Northern Illinois in the first round.

A bright spot for the Lady Techsters was the return of Shantel Hardison after a year off. Hardison became the first Lady Techsters to ever lead the team in points, rebounds and assists in the same season, which earned her SBC Player of the Year honors.

Statistical Leaders: Shantel Hardison, 17.8 ppg; Hardison, 8.9 rpg; Hardison, 4.0 apg; Honors: Hardison — SBC MVP, Women’s Basketball All-American, District 6/Kodak

1992-93

Just when it looked like the Lady Techster dynasty might be slowly folding, Leon Barmore brought in one of the nation’s Top 5 recruiting classes.

And although Tech lost three of its first eight games - two against nationally ranked Tennessee and Texas Tech - the Lady Techsters slowly found their chemistry and by the end of the regular season looked poised to make a run at the Final Four.

After winning the Sun Belt regular season title, Tech received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after dropping the SBC Tournament title game to Western Kentucky. Tech’s resurgence surprised many as the Techsters won the first three games of the tournament before losing a 57-52 heart-breaker to No. 1 ranked Vanderbilt in the Midwest Finals.

However, the 26-6 record showed Tech was back among the

nation’s elite. During the course of the season, Tech also won the 500th game in the program’s history with a 93-72 win over Alabama in Ruston. Barmore also claimed his 300th coaching victory when the Lady Techsters downed Arkansas State 72-66 Feb. 15, 1993, in Ruston.

Statistical Leaders: Vickie Johnson, 13.5 ppg; Danielle Whitehurst, 6.5 rpg; Pam Thomas, 3.5 apg Honors: Whitehurst - State MVP, All-SBC; Johnson - State and SBC Freshman of the Year

1993-94

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. That famous quote could be used to describe this season as Leon Barmore led Tech back to the national title game, but not without some rough moments.

The highly-touted Techster team stumbled early in the season, losing a tough game at Iowa before being embarrassed at Alabama (99-77) and Tennessee (94-60). However, Barmore righted the ship as Tech cruised through the Sun Belt undefeated before easily winning the SBC Tournament title as well.

Tech then proceeded to flex its muscle, winning five straight games in the NCAA Tournament - including revenge wins against both Alabama and Tennessee - to advance to the national title game against North Carolina.

With less than one second remaining and Tech leading 59-57, the fourth national title was well within the Techsters grasp. However, a three-point shot by Charlotte Smith at the buzzer robbed Tech of another title.

Statistical Leaders: Vickie Johnson, 14.8 ppg; Johnson, 7.0 rpg; Pam Thomas, 4.9 apg; Honors: Vickie Johnson- All-SBC; Pam Thomas- AllSBC; Racquel Spurlock - All-SBC; Debra Willliams - All-SBC

1994-95

With the loss of only two players from the prior season’s national title game team, Louisiana Tech was set to make yet another run at the national championship.

After opening the season with a loss at top-ranked Tennessee, Tech won 12 straight before falling again to the Lady Vols. Tech then marched through the Sun Belt with only one blemish in claiming its third straight regular season title. Another loss in the SBC Tournament finals against the Lady Toppers left the Lady Techsters with an at-large bid to the NCAA’s.

After two wins over Furman and Oklahoma in the first two rounds of the tournament, Tech dropped another one-point loss this time against Virginia in the regional semifinals.

The Lady Techsters ended the season 28-5.

Statistical Leaders: Vickie Johnson, 16.4 ppg; Racquel Spurlock, 8.4 rpg; Kendra Neal, 5.2 apg Honors: Vickie Johnson - Kodak All-American, USBWA All-American, 2nd team AP and Basketball Times All-American, SBC MVP; Debra Williams - All-SBC, honorable mention AP and USBWA All-American; Racquel Spurlcok - honorable mention AP All-American

1995-96

Another No. 1 ranking. Another Sun Belt Conference title. Another 30-win season. Another trip to the NCAA Tournament. It was business as usual for the Lady Techsters.

After opening the season with a two-point overtime win over top-ranked Connecticut, Tech reeled off 15 more wins before falling at Tennessee. However, another 15 consecutive wins left the Lady Techsters in a showdown against Georgia in the regional finals.

With Tech leading with only eight minutes remaining in the game, a career-ending injury to Maquisha Walker deflated the Techsters as they fell to the Lady Bulldogs.

A 31-2 record and two more Kodak All-American selections highlighted the season. The program also reached milestone victory No. 600 with a 98-49 win over Western Kentucky.

Statistical Leaders: Debra Williams, 17.7 ppg; Racquel Spurlock, 7.5 rpg; Kendra Neal, 5.2 apg Honors: Debra Williams - Kodak All-American, 2nd team AP and Basketball Times All-American, honorable mention UPI All-American, All-SBC; Vickie Johnson - Kodak All-American, SBC MVP; Racquel Spurlock - All-SBC, honorable mention AP and Basketball Times All-American; Kendra Neal - All-SBC, honorable mention AP and Basketball Times All-American; Monica Maxwell - SBC Freshman of the Year

1996-97

Many people thought Louisiana Tech was going to have to rebuild after losing four starters to graduation, but Leon Barmore simply reloaded - and kept winning.

Tech started the season strong, winning the inaugural Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament, defeating Tennessee 66-64 in the title game.

Starting one freshman, three sophomores and a junior college transfer, Louisiana Tech proceeded to post a 31-4 record and win their fifth-straight regular season Sun Belt Conference title. After claiming a second consecutive SBC Tournament title, Tech entered the NCAA Tournament and promptly defeated St. Peter’s and Auburn before falling to Florida in the regional semifinals.

Barmore won his 400th career contest with a 71-54 victory over North Carolina State in the Preseason WNIT.

Statistical Leaders: Alisa Burras, 18.2 ppg; Burras, 9.5 rpg; LaQuan Stallworth, 3.9 apg Honors: Alisa Burras - SBC and State MVP, honorable mention Kodak and AP All-American; Tamicha Jackson - All-SBC, State Freshman of the Year; Monica Maxwell - All-SBC; Amanda Wilson - All-SBC; LaQuan Stallworth - SBC Defensive Player of the Year

1997-98

Entering the 24th season of Lady Techster basketball, there were few records this storied program hadn’t already set. However, they managed to find one and promptly broke it.

After posting another 31-4 season, winning its sixth straight

Sun Belt regular season title and its third straight SBC tournament title, Tech advanced to its eighth national championship game in school history.

And although the Techsters fell 93-75 to undefeated Tennessee in the title game, Tech’s success led to all five starters being named to the All-Sun Belt Conference team - another first in not only Tech history but also league history.

Statistical Leaders:

Amanda Wilson, 18.9 ppg; Amanda Wilson, 8.8 rpg; LaQuan Stallworth, 6.4 apg Honors: Amanda Wilson - SBC and State MVP, SBC Defensive Player of the Year, AP honorable mention All-American, 2nd team Basketball Times All-American; Tamicha Jackson - All-SBC; LaQuan Stallworth - All-SBC; Alisa Burras - 2nd team AP All-American, USBWA AllAmerican, All-SBC; Monica Maxwell - All-SBC

1998-99

Ranked No. 2 in every preseason publication, a senior laden Lady Techster squad took to the floor for the 25th anniversary season. Compiling a 30-3 record on their way to a 13th Final Four appearance, Tech dominated the SBC once again winning its seventh straight regular season title and fourth straight tournament title.

Tech’s only defeats came against No. 1 ranked Tennessee and the eventual national champion Purdue Boilermakers twice.

The Lady Techsters defeated Central Florida, Penn State, LSU and UCLA on their way to another Final Four appearance. A 77-63 loss to Purdue in the national semifinals ended the season.

However, the program posted its 700th victory with a 97-57 win over New Orleans during regular season conference play.

Statistical Leaders: Amanda Wilson, 16.6 ppg; Amanda Wilson, 7.9 rpg; LaQuan Stallworth, 4.2 apg Honors: Amanda Wilson - Kodak All-American; SBC and State MVP; Basketball Times All-American; 2nd team AP All-American; 4th team Women’s Basketball Journal All-American; Tamicha Jackson - All-SBC, 3rd team Basketball Times All-American, honorable mention AP and Kodak All-American

1999-2000

After losing three players to the professional ranks, Leon Barmore was faced with a team that had only one player with more than one year of Lady Techster experience in point guard Tamicha Jackson.

However, like clockwork, Barmore built a machine using the athletic ability of Jackson and Betty Lennox as the Lady Techsters simply ran through, around and away from the competition for most of the year.

Tech would extend its SBC title streak to eight straight while also claiming its fifth straight tournament title. After posting three impressive wins in the NCAA Tournament, including a memorable 66-65 win over Vanderbilt in the second round, the Lady Techsters were ousted in the Midwest Regional finals by Penn State.

However, Barmore reached another milestone when he claimed coaching victory No. 500 as the Techsters defeated South Alabama 90-33 Jan. 10, 2000, in Ruston. Barmore won 500 games faster than Statistical Leaders: Betty Lennox, 17.3 ppg; Ayana Walker, 7.1 rpg; Betty Lennox, 3.4 apg; Tamicha Jackson, 3.4 apg Honors: Tamicha Jackson - Kodak All- American, 3rd team AP AllAmerican, Women’s Basketball Times All-Defensive Team, All-SBC, SBC Defensive Player of the Year; Betty Lennox - SBC MVP, USBWA All-American, 3rd team AP All-American, 5th team Women’s Basketball Journal All-American

|2000-2010|

Record: 239-81 (.746) Head Coach: Leon Barmore (2000-2002), Kurt Budke (2002-2005), Chris Long (2005-2009), Teresa Weatherspoon (2009-10) Conference Titles: 1 Sun Belt title (2001), 7 Western Athletic Conference title (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 7 (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10); Elite Eights: 1 (2000-01) Final Fours: 0; National Championship Titles: 0

2000-01

Tech returned only one starter from the previous season and lost super sophomore Catrina Frierson with a torn ACL prior to the start of the year. Once again many national publications called for the Techsters demise but Leon Barmore would have none of it.

After starting the season by capturing the prestigious preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament with a win over No. 4 Purdue, the seniorless Lady Techsters never looked back. Tough losses to nationally ranked Tennessee and Connecticut didn’t deter Tech as Barmore and company claimed their ninth straight Sun Belt Conference regular season title and sixth straight tournament title.

The Lady Techsters won three games in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Connecticut but finished the season 31-5. With the 31 wins, Barmore became the first coach in NCAA Division I history to record six straight 30-plus win seasons.

Statistical Leaders: Ayana Walker, 16.0 ppg; Takeisha Lewis, 9.0 rpg; Brooke Lassiter, 5.0 apg Honors: Ayana Walker - Kodak All-American finalist, honorable mention AP All-American, All-SBC, SBC Defensive Player of the Year; Takeisha Lewis - All-SBC, East Region all-tournament; Brooke Lassiter - All-SBC; Amber Obaze - SBC Freshman of the Year

2001-02

Louisiana Tech returned all five starters from its Elite Eight team of the year before as it entered its first year as a member of the Western Athletic Conference.

However, after downing No. 17 Michigan in the season opener, the Lady Techsters went on arguably the toughest three-game road stretch in the program’s history, playing Tennessee, Duke and Connecticut (all eventual Final Four teams) in a two-week period.

The Techsters ran away with the WAC regular season title -- the program’s 10th straight regular season conference title -- before claiming the WAC Tournament title and the automatic bid to the program’s 21st straight NCAA Tournament.

The Lady Techsters finished the season 25-5 after falling to UC-Santa Barbara on a last-second shot in the NCAA Tournament, the 25th time in 28 years Tech had won 20 or more games.

Junior center Cheryl Ford was named the WAC Player of the Year while senior forward Ayana Walker and sophomore guard Amber Obaze both made the Kodak All-District team.

Senior guard Brooke Lassiter finished her four-year Tech career as the NCAA career leader in free throw percentage at 91.8 percent (269 of 293).

Walker and senior center Takeisha Lewis were both selected in the 2002 WNBA Draft.

Statistical Leaders: Ayana Walker, 13.5 ppg; Ayana Walker, 8.7 rpg; Essence Perry 4.4 apg Honors: Ayana Walker - Kodak District VII team, 1st team, All-WAC, WAC All-Defensive team, LSWA State Player of the Year, WAC Tournament MVP; Cheryl Ford - WAC Player of the Year, 1st team All-WAC, LSWA All-Louisiana 1st team; Amber Obaze - 2nd team All-WAC, Kodak

District VII team, WAC All-Defensive team, LSWA All-Louisiana 2nd team, Academic All-WAC; Brooke Lassiter - Academic All-WAC, Verizon Academic All-District VI member, LSWA All-Louisiana 3rd team, NCAA Division I career free throw percentage leader; Erica Smith - WAC Co-Freshman of the Year, WAC All- Newcomer team, LSWA Freshman of the Year; Essence Perry - WAC All-Defensive team

2002-03

The Kurt Budke era began at Louisiana Tech with question marks surrounding the Lady Techster program after the loss of five seniors from the previous team. However, Budke and Co. showed the nation early that Louisiana Tech was once again going to be mentioned among the nation’s elite as the Lady Techsters downed No. 7 Texas Tech 85-76 in the season opener.

The ride on Cloud 9 was shortlived as Tech lost two of its next three games and came to a cross roads in its season heading down to Tulane for a match-up against the Green Wave. Tech responded with a resounding 68-53 win, the first of what would be 29 straight.

Tech entered Christmas break defeating No. 25 ranked New Mexico at The Pit, the loss would be the only one at home during the regular season for the Lobos, proving what a feat the Lady Techsters had accomplished.

The Western Athletic Conference had hopes that the Lady Techsters could be beaten (after the Rice Owls had accomplished the feat at the end of the 2001-02 season). However, led by Cheryl Ford, who would win her second straight Conference Player of the Year Award while destroying both the school and league rebounding records, the Lady Techsters posted a perfect 18-0 mark in WAC play, claiming yet another conference title.

After winning the WAC Tournament title and advancing to the program’s 22nd straight NCAA Tournament, Louisiana Tech defeated both Pepperdine and No. 20 Ohio State before falling to No. 3 ranked LSU 69-63 in the Sweet 16. In addition to Ford’s honor, Trina Frierson also earned first team All-WAC honors while guards Amber Obaze and Erica Smith both were named to the All-WAC second team and the league’s all-defensive unit. Budke earned the WAC Coach of the Year Award.

Following the season, Ford was the third overall selection in the 2003 WNBA Draft by the Detroit Shock and would earn that league’s 2003 Rookie of the Year Award.

During the season, the retired Leon Barmore was announced as a member of the 2003 Class for both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Statistical Leaders: Cheryl Ford, 15.7 ppg; Cheryl Ford, 12.9 rpg; Amber Obaze, 3.5 apg Honors: Cheryl Ford - WAC Player of the Year, 1st team All-WAC, LSWA, All-Louisiana 1st team, LSWA State MVP, WAC Tournament MVP; Trina Frierson - 1st team All-WAC, All-WAC Tournament team, LSWA All-Louisiana first team; Amber Obaze - 2nd team All-WAC, WAC

2003-04

Louisiana Tech returned the nucleus of a team that went 31-3 the previous season although the Lady Techsters had to find a replacement for the departure of center Cheryl Ford, who won the 2003 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

The Lady Techsters started strong winning their first three games, including posting an impressive road victory over Illinois in late November. Following an early December road loss at Tennessee, Tech reeled off five more wins in a row.

The pinnacle of the out of conference schedule was a memorable 87-84 win over No. 6 ranked Penn State on the home floor of the Nittney Lions, a PSU team that had already deafeted LSU, Texas and Kansas State. After Penn State hit a three-pointer with 7.5 seconds remaining to tie the game up, Tech’s Amber Obaze hit a 35-footer with 1.2 seconds remaining to lead the Techsters to the win.

After falling 87-84 to Rice in the second WAC game of the conference season, the Lady Techsters responded and promptly reeled off 16 straight wins to claim their third straight league title. Tech then won three straight contests in the WAC Tournament by an average margin of 31.6 points to earn the automatic berth in the program’s 23rd straight NCAA Tournament.

Two wins in Missoula, Montana, including a memorable 81-77 victory over host Montana before a soldout crowd of over 7,500 screaming Lady Griz fans, sent the Techsters to the East Regional in Norfolk, Va. Tech’s season came to an end with a 63-49 loss to No. 1 ranked Duke as the Lady Techsters finished with a 29-3 mark.

Senior forward Amisha Carter was named the 2004 WAC Player of the Year, while senior Trina Frierson was first team All-WAC and a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year award. Guards Amber Obaze and Erica Smith-Taylor both earned second team All-WAC honors as well as WAC All-Defensive Team accolades. Statistical Leaders: Amisha Carter 16.9 ppg; Amisha Carter, 10.8 rpg; Erica Smith-Taylor, 3.7 apg Honors: Amisha Carter - WAC Player of the Year, 1st team All-WAC, LSWA All-Louisiana 1st team, WAC Tournament MVP; Trina Frierson - 1st team All-WAC, All-WAC Tournament team, LSWA All-Louisiana first team; Amber Obaze - 2nd team All-WAC, WAC All-Defensive team, LSWA All-Louisiana 3rd team; Erica Smith-Taylor - 2nd team All-WAC, WAC All-Defensive team; 3rd team All-WAC

2004-05

The Lady Techsters entered the season with only one returning starter on the floor for the season opener against Ole Miss after graduating three All-WAC performers from the previous year.

Also playing a huge role in Tech’s early season inexperience was the fact Preseason WAC Player of the Year Erica Taylor was sidelined, giving birth to her and husband Jermain’s first child, daughter Nia Jay on Dec. 15. With Taylor not returning to the Tech lineup until late January, junior point guard Tasha Williams was Tech’s lone starter from the previous year. Crain and Co. met a tough outof-conference schedule, posting wins over Ole Miss, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky and Alcorn State, while falling to Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi State and Illinos. Although Tech had won 10 straight regular season conference titles, many experts believed this would be the year the string was snapped. However, the Techsters made a statement early in conference play, overcoming a 16-point second half deficit to down Rice on New Year’s Day. Behind the play of Williams, who would see her scoring average increase from 4.3 her sophomore season to 18.2 this year, and guards Lakiste Barkus and Shan Moore, the Techsters posted a 14-4 mark in the WAC, tying Rice for the regular season title. The Lady Techsters string of 23 straight NCAA Tournament appearances was on the line in the semifinals of the 2005 WAC Tournament as Tech overcame a 15-point deficit with 7:02 to play before downing Fresno State 92-87 in double overtime. Despite falling in the WAC Tournament Championship game to Rice, Tech received an at-large berth into the Tournament as a No. 11 seed.

Tech traveled to Storrs, Conneticut, and faced No. 6 seed and Top 25 Temple in the first round. Despite dominating the Owls for the entire first half, the Lady Techsters eventually fell 66-61.

In addition to Williams earning the WAC Player of the Year honor, Barkus was named second team all-WAC while the pair both made the WAC all-defensive team.

One week following the conclusion of the season, head coach Kurt Budke departed for the head coaching job at Oklahoma State.

On April 8th, 2005, Chris Long was named as the fourth head coach in the program’s history in a press conference in the Hall of Fame Room at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Following the season, Taylor was selected in the second round of the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.

Statistical Leaders: Tasha Williams 18.2 ppg; Tamika Kursh, 7.6 rpg; Tasha Williams, 4.2 apg Honors: Tasha Williams - WAC Player of the Year, 1st team All-WAC, LSWA All-Louisiana 1st team, WAC All-Defensive Team, WAC AllTournament team; Lakiste Barkus - 2nd team All-WAC, LSWA AllLouisiana third team; Erica Taylor - WAC All-Tournament team

2005-06

After opening his tenure as the head coach of the Louisiana Tech women’s basketball program with a loss at Western Kentucky, Chris Long and his team bounced right back in record-breaking fashion.

Trailing by 19 points with less than eight minutes to play, Long and Co. rallied for a 95-91 double overtime win over Iowa in game No. 2 of the year ... setting the tone for another successful season.

Behind the leadership of four-year starting point guard Tasha Williams and the record-breaking outside shooting of senior Aarica Ray-Boyd, Tech not only won its sixth straight regular season Western Athletic Conference title and earned the automatic berth to the program’s 25th straight NCAA Tournament, but they regained their rightful place among the nation’s Top 25.

Tech overcame a lot of adversity and posted a very impressive 26-5 record on the season and earned a trip to Denver, Colo., for the first two rounds of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.

Their opening round match-up against Florida State was considered one of the premier battles in the first round of the tournament by the women’s college basketball experts.

However, only three days prior to the game, Williams suffered a severe ankle injury which proved costly to the Techsters and their fans as the Seminoles downed Tech 80-71, ending the Lady Techsters season.

Williams, Ray-Boyd, Shan Moore and Ty Moore all earned AllWAC honors during the season while Williams and Ray-Boyd both earned Kodak All-District accolades.

Statistical Leaders: Aarica Ray-Boyd, 14.2 ppg; Ty Moore, 9.2 rpg; Tasha Williams, 4.5 apg Honors: Williams -- 1st team All-WAC, WAC All-Defensive Team, WAC Tournament MVP, Kodak All-District, LSWA 1st team; Aarica Ray-Boyd -- 2nd team All-WAC, Kodak All-District, LSWA 1st team; Shan Moore -- 2nd team All-WAC, WAC All-Tournament; Ty Moore -- 2nd team AllWAC, LSWA 2nd team; Eboni Mangum -- WAC All-Freshman Team,

2006-07

Louisiana Tech simply had a tough year.

Between a tough non-conference schedule that featured eventual Final Four opponents in Tennessee and LSU and six losses by six points or less, 2006-07 wasn’t a typical Louisiana Tech season.

The Techsters started out the year losing seven of their first nine games before rebounding and ending the year winning 15 of their last 21.

Head coach Chris Long’s team was streaky at best, posting some impressive wins over the likes of Mississippi State, Rice, Alabama, and Boise State.

When they were on, the Lady Techsters were tough to beat as proven by the program winning its sixth straight Western Athletic Conference regular season title.

However, inconsistent offensive play eventually spelled doom as a first round loss in the 2007 WAC Tournament ended the program’s 25 year streak of making the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Shan Moore was named the 2007 WAC Player of the Year while junior Jo Sneed was named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Newcomer of the Year.

Statistical Leaders: Shan Moore, 13.8 ppg; Ty Moore, 9.2 rpg; Eboni Mangum, 3.2 apg; Honors: Shan Moore -- 1st team All-WAC, WAC POY; LSWA 1st team, Ty Moore -- 1st team All-WAC, WAC AllDefensive Team; LSWA 1st team; Amber Metoyer -- WAC All-Defensive Team; Jo Sneed -- LSWA Newcomer of the Year; Shanavia Dowdell -- WAC All-Freshman Team

2007-08

For the second straight year, Louisiana Tech came up short in its bid for the NCAA Tournament as the Lady Techsters fell in the semifinals of the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

What started out as a season full of high hopes turned into a year of injuries and missed opportunities as the Lady Techsters finished 16-15.

It was the program’s 34th straight winning season -- Tech has never had a losing campaign. However, in Ruston, La., expectations are always high and anything less than an NCAA Tournament berth is considered a down season.

A preseason injury to freshman guard Sidney Stewart and a season-ending injury to sophomore guard Whitney Jones in the seventh game of the year increased the challenges for Tech head coach Chris Long and Co.

The highlight of the season was the play of senior forward Jo Sneed, who averaged a double double and earned first team all-WAC and all-state honors, and the development of freshmen Adrienne Johnson and Tarkeisha Wysinger.

Statistical Leaders: Jo Sneed, 15.5 ppg; Jo Sneed, 10.3 ppg; Tiawana Pringle, 2.8 apg; Honors: Jo Sneed --1st team All-WAC; 1st team AllLSWA; Shanavia Dowdell -- 2nd team All-LSWA; Tarkeisha Wysinger -- WAC All-Freshman team

2008-09

It proved to be an up and down season for the Lady Techsters in 2008-09 as LA Tech hovered around the .500 mark for most of the year. It took a late season run that saw the Lady Techsters win their final seven WAC regular season games to propel the program to a share of the conference title.

Interim head coach Teresa Weatherspoon and Co. entered the WAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed and saw its eight-game winning streak snapped in a memorable 91-88 overtime loss to Nevada in the WAC Tournament semifinals.

However, the Lady Techsters earned a berth in the WNIT where they dismantled Conference USA regular season champion SMU before falling in the second round to Illinois State.

Tech posted a 21-13 mark on the year, the 29th season of 20 or more victories.

Junior Shanavia Dowdell was named the WAC Player of the Year and first team all-state while sophomore Adrienne Johnson earned first team all-conference and all-state honors. Johnson was also

named to the WAC All-Defensive team.

Statistical Leaders: Shanavia Dowdell, 16.1 ppg; Shanavia Dowdell, 9.9 ppg; Tiawana Pringle, 2.9 apg; Honors: Shanavia Dowdell --WAC POY, 1st team All-WAC; 1st team All-LSWA; Adrienne Johnson -- 1st team All-WAC; WAC All-Defensive Team; 1st team All-LSWA

2009-10

Back to the Big Dance. The Lady Techsters returned to their rightful place in the postseason as Teresa Weatherspoon and Co. recorded a mark of 23-9 which included a heart-stopping 68-66 victory over Fresno State in the WAC Tournament championship game.

The non-conference portion of the season was highlighted with matchups against Top 10 foes LSU and Baylor as the Lady Techsters dropped a tough 77-74 contest against the Tigers in Ruston before falling 77-67 to the eventual Final Four participant Bears in Waco.

After splitting their first six WAC games of the year, the seasonchanger came in a home game against Idaho. Tech trailed by four points with 28 seconds to play, but back-to-back three-pointers including the game-tying one by Jasmine Bendolph with eight seconds to play sent the game into overtime. Tech won 74-71 which started a stretch of eight wins over a nine-game span.

Entering the WAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed, Tech defeated Utah State easily in the Quarterfinals before downing host Nevada 80-77 in a semifinal classic -- setting up a showdown with Fresno State which had won 18 straight WAC games and 19 straight games overall.

The Lady Techsters led by double digits in the first half before trailing 37-36 at the break. After building a nine-point lead in the final half, Tech watched Fresno State fight back to take a one-point lead with less than a minute to play.

However, Bendolph sank an 18-footer with the shot clock running down and Tech hung on for the win.

The Techsters earned a No. 14 seed and traveled to face ACC champion Florida State on their home floor in the NCAA Tournament. Behind 28 points from Shanavia Dowdell, Tech took the Seminoles down to the wire before falling.

Dowdell earned her second straight WAC Player of the Year award while Teresa Weatherspoon was named the WBCA Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year.

Statistical Leaders: Shanavia Dowdell, 18.0 ppg; Shanavia Dowdell, 12.4 ppg; Jasmine Bendolph 3.9 apg; Honors: Shanavia Dowdell --WAC POY, 1st team All-WAC; 1st team All-LSWA; Adrienne Johnson -- 1st team All-WAC; WAC All-Defensive Team; 1st team All-LSWA Record: 134-117 (.532) Head Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon (201014), Tyler Summitt (2014-16), Brooke & Scott Stoehr (2016-present) Conference Titles: 1 Western Athletic Conference title (2011) NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1 (2010-11); Elite Eights: 0 Final Fours: 0; National Championship Titles: 0

2010-11

Despite suffering through a modest three-game losing streak early in the season, Louisiana Tech posted impressive nonconference wins over Georgia, Tulane and Mississippi State that catapulted the Lady Techsters onto the national scene. Led by eventual All-American forward Adrienne Johnson, Tech entered Western Athletic Conference play and proceeded to reel off 13 straight victories, including a pair of memorable overtime wins against WAC rival Fresno State. The first was a 94-93 triple overtime win over Fresno State at the Save Mart Center when Brietta Thomas drained a three-pointer with 2.6 seconds to play in third overtime. Three weeks later, Johnson hit a free throw late in regulation to send the rematch into overtime where Tech prevailed 90-84 before 7,123 fans at the Thomas Assembly Center.

The Lady Techsters stumbled in Reno with a 71-66 loss to Nevada but rebounded with a pair of home wins over Boise State and Idaho to capture the outright league regular season title for the eighth time in 10 years.

Tech recorded a milestone with its 1000th program win -- a 66-59 victory over Nevada in the semifinals of the WAC Tournament, setting up another rematch with Fresno State.

This time Fresno State was the team to hit the big shot as the Bulldogs banked home a shot with less than a second to play to defeat Tech 78-76 for the WAC Tournament title.

Despite the loss, Weatherspoon and Co. earned the program’s 27th appearance in the NCAA Tournament where it fell to Rutgers in the first round in a game played at the CenturyTel Center in Shreveport.

Johnson, who was named the WAC Player of the Year and a finalist for the Wade Trophy, was selected in the second round of the 2011 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun.

Statistical Leaders: Adrienne Johnson, 21.9 ppg; Adrienne Johnson, 9.4 rpg; Jasmine Bendolph 4.3 apg; Honors: Adrienne Johnson -- WAC Player of the Year; 1st team All-WAC; WAC All-Defensive Team; LSWA State Player of the Year; 1st team all-LSWA; Tarkeisha WysingerMackey -- 2nd team all-WAC, WAC All-Defensive Team; 2nd team allLSWA; Jasmine Bendolph -- 2nd team all-WAC, honorable mention all-LSWA

2011-12

Louisiana Tech got off to a tough start and never truly recovered as the Lady Techsters finished a roller coaster ride of a season at 17-15, dropping the championships game of the 2012 WAC Tournament against Fresno State.

Tech lost six of its first eight games of the year with single digit losses to Seton Hall, Alabama and Tulane and wins over eventual NCAA Tournament participant UALR and old rival Old Dominion.

The Lady Techsters then started to right the ship, winning five of its next six games including victories over SEC foe Mississippi State and a triple overtime win against Prairie View A&M.

Weatherspoon and Co. entered WAC play 7-8. After falling in two of its first three league games, Tech won six of its next seven with the lone loss being a two-point setback against eventual WAC champion Fresno State.

The Techsters finished third in the league race and entered the WAC Tournament where it defeated Hawaii in the first round before upsetting No. 2 seed Utah State in the semifinals. LA Tech needed one more

win to qualify for its third straight NCAA Tournament but fell 89-61 to the Bulldogs as the season came to an end.

Statistical Leaders: Shantale Bramble-Donaldson 11.1 ppg; Shantale Bramble-Donaldson 8.1 rpg; Jasmine Bendolph 5.7 apg; Honors: Shantale Bramble-Donaldson 2nd team All-WAC; 3rd team all-LSWA; Jasmine Bendolph -- 2nd team all-WAC, 2nd team all-LSWA; Whitney Frazier -- WAC All-Defensive Team, WAC All-Freshman Team; LSWA Freshman of the Year

2012-13

Competing in their final year as a member of the Western Athletic Conference, Louisiana Tech endured a tough season as for the first time in program history, the Lady Techsters lost more games than they won.

Despite the struggles of the 14-17 record, the Lady Techsters showed the flare for the dramatic at times as Tech won its first five games of the year by three points or less or in overtime.

In addition to close wins, Tech also recorded the second largest come-from-behind victory in its 40-year history with a 67-58 win over Idaho on Jan. 17 in Moscow. In that game, Tech trailed 50-30 in the second half before ending the game on a 37-8 run.

The Lady Techsters also got some record-setting individual performances as guard Kelia Shelton scored a WAC single game record 45 points in Tech’s 79-73 road win over UTSA on Feb. 7. The 45 points was the second most ever scored by a Lady Techster in a game.

Tech finished fifth in the league standings and won its quarterfinal WAC Tournament game with a dominating 85-58 victory over UTSA. However, the Lady Techsters season came to an end with a loss to Seattle in the semifinals.

Statistical Leaders: Kelia Shelton 13.6 ppg; Kelia Shelton 6.7 rpg; Janay Borum 4.0 apg; Honors: Whitney Frazier 2nd team All-WAC; 3rd team all-LSWA; Brittany Lewis --3rd team all-WAC; Lulu Perry-- WAC All-Freshman Team

2013-14

The first season as a member of Conference USA was not a memorable one for the Lady Techsters as LA Tech recorded its second consecutive losing campaign at 12-20.

Tech did manage to finish the season strong, winning four of its last five games after junior guard Kelia Shelton returned to the floor becoming academically eligible.

The Lady Techsters finished 5-11 in Conference USA play and entered the C-USA Tournament in El Paso as the 14th seed. Behind a balanced offensive attack, Tech upset North Texas and Charlotte to make NCAA history by becoming the highest seed ever to advance to the quarterfinals of a women’s tournament.

However, the Lady Techsters bid at a third straight upset was ended as the home-standing UTEP Miners ended Tech’s season.

Following the season, a coaching change was made as Teresa Weatherspoon was replaced by Tyler Summitt.

2014-15

In Tyler Summitt’s first year with Louisiana Tech, the Lady Techsters showed a never die attitude, finishing the season 16-15.

The goal for Summitt and his staff was to change the culture, it was not going to happen over night. As the season approached the Lady Techsters received media coverage from NBC Nightly News, 60 Minutes Sports, ESPN, USA Today, CNN, Sports Illustrated, the New York Times and many more. With all eyes locked in, LA Tech entered it’s second season in Conference USA.

After an up and down non-conference slate, the Lady Techsters improved on their conference play from a season ago.

The never die attitude showed quickly in conference play the Lady Techsters over came deficits of 18, against UAB, and 19 against Florida Atlantic.

Louisiana Tech was able to grab a game in the Conference USA Tournament in Birmingham before falling to Middle Tennessee in the quarterfinals to end their season. However, perhaps only Street & Smith’s had the foresight to know as the preseason publication had picked Tech to win it all in October. It wouldn’t be Tech’s last.

Statistical Leaders: Whitney Frazier 14.8 ppg,; Whitney Frazier 7.1 rpg; Christassia Walter 6.0 apg; Honors: Whitney Frazier – 1st team ALLCUSA, 1st team All-LSWA; Kelia Shelton – 2nd team All-CUSA, 3rd team All-State; Brandi Wingate – CUSA 6th Player of the Year; Tiara Davenport – CUSA All-Freshman Team

2015-16

It was a year of highs and lows in Tyler Summitt’s second and final season at the helm of the program.

The Lady Techsters hit some early season bumps in the road with home losses to Prairie View and McNeese State but also played toeto-toe with Top 15 UCLA in the Bahamas.

Summitt and Co. appeared to be hitting their stride in January when LA Tech won six out of seven games with the lone loss coming to eventual regular season champ UTEP 86-80 in El Paso. Included in the wins during that stretch were a blowout 35-point home win over Southern Miss and an impressive 18-point road win at ODU -- a team that would advance all the way to the C-USA Tournament title game.

However, Tech turned cold, losing seven of its final nine games of the year, including a heart-breaking overtime loss to Rice in the first round of the C-USA Tournament in Birmingham.

The final 14-16 record was just the third losing season in the program’s 42 years, but the third in the last four.

Following the season, Summitt resigned as head coach.

Senior forward Brandi Wingate recorded a stellar individual campaign, earning Louisiana Sports Writers Association State Player of the Year honors and first team all-CUSA accolades. Wingate averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds a game.

Statistical Leaders: Brandi Wingate 17.6 ppg,; Brandi Wingate 7.6 rpg; Kierra Anthony 3.1 apg; Honors: Brandi Wingate – 1st team ALL-CUSA, 1st team All-LSWA; LSWA State POY; Brooke Pumroy -- 3rd team allstate

2016-17

The first year of the Brooke and Scott Stoehr era was a successful one for the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. After being tabbbed to finish 12th in the 14-team league, LA Tech surprised most by finishing fourth and earning its first postseason appearance since 2011.

Tech showed signs early in the year with competitive losses to P5 programs such as LSU (77-73), Clemson (78-67, OT) and Auburn (7868).

But the Lady Techsters didn’t get off to a fast start in C-USA play, falling in three of their first five league games. After winning three of the next five to even its league record at 5-5, Tech then reeled off seven straight wins -- the longest winning streak since the 2010-11 season.

Tech entered the C-USA Tournament as the No. 4 seed and advanced to the semifinals before falling to eventual tournament champion WKU.

Stoehr and Co. earned a spot in the WNIT where they fell 75-70 in OT at SMU in the first round.

2017-18

Year No. 2 under the direction of Brooke and Scott Stoehr was similar to the first year as the Lady Techsters finished third in the Conference USA standings, won 19 games and earned an appearance in the 2018 WNIT.

Tech recorded its first win over a P5 program in seven years when the Lady Techsters defeated Big Ten foe Penn State in Las Vegas in an early season tournament and then almost pulled off a second P5 win, falling at home to Clemson in a competitive contest.

C-USA play saw Tech post a 10-6 record, including impressive road wins over eventual regular season champion UAB and against Rice, snapping the Owls program-record 15-game home court winning streak. Tech won five of six league games down the stretch to finish behind only UAB and eventual NCAA Tournament participant WKU.

Tech was upset in the first round of the C-USA Tournament, falling to North Texas but still earned a berth in the WNIT. The Lady Techsters season came to an end in a home loss to Missouri State.

Statistical Leaders: Alexus Malone 14.9 ppg,; Alexus Malone 9.2 rpg; Kierra Lang 3.7 apg; Honors: Alexus Malone -- 1st team all-CUSA, 1st team all-LSWA; Kierra Anthony -- 2nd team ALL-CUSA, 2nd team AllLSWA

2018-19

It was a year of highs and lows for LA Tech as the Lady Techsters recorded some marquee wins over SEC foes Alabama and Ole Miss as well as Conference USA runner-up UAB, snapping the Blazers 10-game winning streak.

However, it ended with five straight losses, including a setback in the first round C-USA Tournament game against Charlotte (55-46), a team Tech had defeated by 37 points earlier in the year.

Senior guard Kierra Anthony was a higlight for Tech, ranking fourth in the country in scoring (23.4 ppg) and setting numerous single game and single season scoring records.

Anthony broke the LA Tech and Conference USA single game scoring record when she netted 50 points in a100-88 overtime victory over Houston (44 of those points coming after hafltime). Tech rallied from 16 points down in the fourth quarter.

She also posted a 45-point effort in a win over Southern Miss and 35 in a victory over Ole Miss.

Statistical Leaders: Kierra Anthony 23.4 ppg,; Grayson Bright 6.8 rpg; Amber Dixon 2.9 apg; Honors: Kierra Anthony– 1st team ALL-CUSA, 1st team All-LSWA; Taylor Stahly -- CoSIDA Academic All-American

2019-20

Just when Louisiana Tech was playing its best basketball of the year, the season abruptly came to an end.

Less than 24 hours after LA Tech pulled off a 66-63 upset victory over senior-laden UAB in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament in Frisco, the tournament -- and all of those across the country -- was canceled due to COVID19. 15-15 would be the final record. From a heart-racing win over the Blazers to a heart-breaking cancelation ... that was an illustration of the roller coaster campaign.

Junior Raizel Guinto was a bright spot during the year, earning the Conference USA co-6th Player of the Year Award while hitting 66 threepointers. A trio of youngsters helped lead the way late in the year when the Lady Techsters took two-time defending champion Rice to overtime and WKU to the brink of a loss in Bowling Green. Freshmen Anna Larr Roberson and Lotte Sant and sophomore Keiunna Walker were key cogs and showed signs of what the near future holds

Statistical Leaders: Amber Dixon 12.1 ppg,; Anna Larr Roberson 5.5 rpg; Amber Dixon & Raizel Guinto 3.0 apg; Honors: Raizel Guinto -- Conference USA Co-6th Player of the Year

2020-21

It’s a season that college athletes and their fans will never forget.

Trying to play through a world pandemic proved challenging, but the 2020-21 Lady Techsters will be remembered for their relentless focus and determination on their way to a 14-10 record.

Tech found themselves in a lot of close games during Conference USA action, recording an 8-8 mark with five of the eight losses coming by single digits.

The Lady Techsters won their Conference USA Tournament opener with a 50-48 win over Marshall before falling to eventual C-USA champion Middle Tennessee in a game that came down to the final possession.

Keiunna Walker earned second team all-Conference USA honors while Anna Larr Roberson took another stride towards becoming one of the top – if not the best – post player in the league.

Raizel Guinto ended her Tech career as one of the top three-point shooters in the history of the program.

Statistical Leaders: Keiunna Walker 16.0 ppg,; Anna Larr Roberson 7.1 rpg; Amber Dixon 3.1 apg; Honors: Keiunna Walker-- 2nd team ALLCUSA