Tigers claw way past Shocker women in season opener

The Wichita State women’s basketball team opened its season with a 72-70 loss at Louisiana State on Sunday. 

WSU (0-1) led 61-60 with 3:34 to play but free throws by LSU eventually did the Shockers in. 

Senior guard Jessica Diamond and junior forward Michelle Price led the Shockers with 13 points each. Senior center Jazimen Gordon and sophomore guard Alex Harden also finished in double digits with 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

The Shocker defense held the Tigers to 40 percent shooting for the game. WSU shot 48.1 percent. 

The difference in the game was likely turnovers. WSU finished with 25, compared to 18 for LSU. 

LSU (1-0) entered the season receiving votes for the AP Top 25. 

The two teams met for the first time in history a season ago, LSU winning 64-56 in Wichita. 

There is another connection between the schools, however. WSU coach Jody Adams and LSU coach Nikki Caldwell were teammates at Tennessee during the team’s national title run in 1991 under legendary coach Pat Summitt.

Next for WSU is a trip to Jonesboro, Ark., on Thursday to play Arkansas State. 

The Shockers first regular-season home game will be on Sunday, Nov. 18, against Texas-San Antonio.  

—Austin Colbert