The Florida Atlantic Owls (11-11, 5-6 C-USA) were unable to hold their 19 point lead from the first half against the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, losing 73-68.

“I thought they played hard. We’re down right now,” Said head coach Kellie Lewis-Jay. “Ali (Gorrell) is sitting on the bench, Lauren (Williams) is sitting on the bench, Shaneese is on a bummed ankle. For us to get a 19 point lead is huge despite all of that.”

Ali Gorrell and Lauren Williams both have foot injuries they are dealing with which kept them out.

A combination of poor defense and turnovers hurt the Owls late in the game. FAU had 18 turnovers, including five from freshman guard Aaliyah Dotson and four for freshman guard Malia Kency.

The Owls finished with 16 fouls, and LA Tech took advantage, shooting 10-of-12 from the free throw line in the second half.

Louisiana Tech (12-10, 7-5 C-USA) shot 57.7 percent during the second half on their way to the victory. Senior guard Whitney Frazier led the Lady Techsters with 20 points.

Freshman guard Danneal Ford and Morgan Robinson both had huge nights for the Owls. Ford had 12 points and two steals, while Robinson scored 18 points and and had three assists.

“It’s really good to have a kid like Danneal step up due to an injury and play well,” Lewis-Jay said of Danneal Ford. “It makes us feel good about the future. She’s getting minutes and experience.”

Shaneese Bailey led the Owls in scoring with 24 points.The Owls held their lead until there was 2:00 left in the second half, and were unable to regain it for the rest of the game.

Louisiana Tech snapped a two-game losing streak, and FAU has now lost two in a row. The Owls will play Southern Mississippi at home on Feb. 14 at 5 p.m.

“We know they are a very good team, top three in the conference,” said Lewis-Jay, on Southern Miss. “ It’s gonna be a challenge for us, but we have to get ready.”