The SMU Mustangs look to overthrow former conference rival, Louisiana Tech, for the first time in the program’s history when they take on the Techsters (20-12) in the opening round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament tonight in Ruston, La.

Louisiana Tech holds a 17-0 overall record over the Mustangs, dating back to SMU’s 2001-2005 run in the Western Athletic Conference. Nine of the Techsters’ wins over the Mustangs have come on their home court.

The Mustangs (20-11) earned an automatic bid to the WNIT after being crowned regular season champions of Conference USA. The Techsters enter the tournament after capitalizing on their final seven games of the season, giving them a partial share of the 2008-09 WAC title. Both teams fell in the semi-final round of their respective conference tournament.

Entering the postseason for the second consecutive season, tonight’s game marks the Mustangs’ third appearance in the WNIT. Overall, SMU has a 2-2 record in the tournament, having defeated UNLV and Florida International before falling to Arkansas State in the final round in the 1992-93 season. The Mustangs’ last appearance in the WNIT in 2004-05 ended quickly in a first round loss to Southwest Missouri State.

Tonight’s game will be Louisiana Tech’s first appearance in the postseason WNIT and first postseason appearance since the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Techsters post 25 NCAA Tournament appearances and three AIAW Tournament appearances in the program’s history.

The Mustangs enter the game with eight out of 13 players shooting .400 or better.

SMU’s junior guard Brittany Gilliam enters the tournament leading conference in steals (79). LA Tech presents three players averaging double-digit scores, led by Shanavia Dowdell with 16.2 points per game.

Conference USA Defensive Player of the year, Gilliam, is just 16 points away from reaching 1,000 career points. Teammate, junior Delisha Wills, needs just 12 points to reach the 1,000-point mark. Three-point star, junior Jillian Samuels is also a key asset to the Mustang’s offense, having collected 58 shots from the long range this season.

Freshman Christine Elliott faces off against LA Tech with the all-time rebound record of 21 boards. Coupling Elliott’s efforts on defense is junior Alice Severin with a two season combined total of 21 blocked shots.

The winner of tonight’s game will take on Illinois State (24-7) from the Missouri Valley Conference in the second round of play.