1982–83 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball team

The 1982–83 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball team represented Louisiana Tech University during the 1982–83 NCAA Division I women's basketball season. The team was led by co-head coaches Sonja Hogg and Leon Barmore, who guided the team to a 31–2 record and a runner-up finish at the 1983 NCAA tournament.[1] This was the program's third consecutive appearance in the championship game, following an AIAW championship in 1981 and the first NCAA championship in 1982. The team played their home games for the inaugural season at the Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, Louisiana as an NCAA independent.

1982–83 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball
ConferenceIndependent
Ranking
APNo. 1
Record31–2
Head coach
Assistant coachGary Blair
Home arenaThomas Assembly Center
Seasons

The Lady Techsters won their first 20 games of the season to extend the program's win streak to 54 games. Louisiana Tech lost at Old Dominion, 61–58,[2] but re-focused to close the season with a 15-game win streak to capture the inaugural NCAA women's basketball championship.

Previous season

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The Lady Techsters finished the 1981–82 season with a 35–1 record as an independent. They won the inaugural NCAA tournament championship over Cheney State, 76–62.[3][4]

Roster

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1982–83 Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters women's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Year Hometown
G 10 Julie Wilkerson 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Sr Tioga, Louisiana
G 15 Jennifer White 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Sr Loretto, Tennessee
G 20 Kim Mulkey 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) Jr Hammond, Louisiana
F 25 Lori Scott 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Sr Jackson, Mississippi
G 34 Debbie Primeaux 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) Jr Bell City, Louisiana
F 44 Debra Rodman 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Jr Dallas, Texas
C 51 Janice Lawrence 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Jr Lucedale, Mississippi
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Schedule and results

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Date
time, TV
Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Regular season
NCAA tournament
Mar 25, 1983*
(1 MW) No. 1 vs. (5 MW) No. 14 Auburn
Regional Semifinal – Sweet Sixteen
W 81–54  29–1
Thomas Assembly Center 
Ruston, Louisiana
Mar 27, 1983*
(1 MW) No. 1 vs. (2 MW) No. 3 Texas
Regional Final – Elite Eight
W 72–58  30–1
Thomas Assembly Center 
Ruston, Louisiana
Apr 1, 1983*
(1 MW) No. 1 vs. (1 E) No. 4 Old Dominion
National Semifinal – Final Four
W 71–55[5]  31–1
Norfolk Scope 
Norfolk, Virginia
Apr 3, 1983*
(1 MW) No. 1 vs. (2 W) No. 2 USC
National Championship
L 67–69[6]  31–2
Norfolk Scope (7,387)
Norfolk, Virginia
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
MW=Midwest.
All times are in Central.

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
Poll12345678910111213141516Final
AP22222222211111111

References

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  1. ^ "La. Tech Women: No. 2 and Counting". The Washington Post. March 28, 1982. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  2. ^ "Louisiana Tech Streak Ends". The New York Times. January 30, 1982. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "La. Tech Women: No. 2 and Counting". The Washington Post. March 28, 1982. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  4. ^ "The Rich Get Richer, High-Tech Style". Sports Illustrated. April 5, 1982. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "Louisiana Tech, USC Gain Women's Final". The Washington Post. April 2, 1983. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S.C. WOMEN TOP LA. TECH FOR TITLE". The New York Times. April 4, 1983. Retrieved March 23, 2024.