LA Tech hits century mark in home victory

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech fans got to see the lone senior reach a career milestone as well as some true freshmen flash their abilities all in the same night.

Senior guard Jacobi Boykins hit 1,000 career points and the four freshmen combined to score 44 points in a 106-55 rout of Miles College on Saturday inside the Thomas Assembly Center.

LA Tech (6-1) got contributions from everyone as only two Bulldogs played over 20 minutes of action. Six ended up in double figures, led by guard Exavian Christon who had a game-high and career-high 15 points to help the ‘Dogs win their 11th straight on Karl Malone Court.

“I was happy that our starting unit was able to get off to a good start and use some of the pressure to create some turnovers and some early opportunities to build a little bit of a lead,” head coach Eric Konkol said. “The guys who came in off the bench were able to keep that going.

“The major positive was seeing so many guys get action and make positive contributions to the team. Whether it was scoring, assists, or rebounding; I thought there was an intensity level that carried throughout the game, no matter who was in. I’m very pleased with that.”

The same five got the start, and it was a strong start. Through the first four-plus minutes, four different Bulldogs connected on three-pointers and junior center Joniah White threw down two dunks to get LA Tech off to an early 17-4 lead.

Up by 15 with 10:28 to play in the first half, Boykins became the fifth Bulldog to nail a triple. He ended up scoring seven of the team’s next nine points to make him the 40th Bulldog in program history to eclipse 1,000 points for his career.

“When you look down the list of guys that have played here at Louisiana Tech that have scored 1,000 points, you see that it’s an impressive list of guys,” Konkol said. “Jacobi rightfully belongs in that group. He’s been a special player here and he’s meant so much to this program. It’s just really neat to see those types of guys achieve milestones like that.”

The lead continued to grow, maxing out in the first stanza on a made jumper by White with three seconds left to give LA Tech a 55-26 advantage going into halftime. All 11 Bulldogs that played in the first half ended up scoring.

And the scoring did not stop in the second half as LA Tech went over the century mark for a second time this season, tying their season high with 13 made three-pointers.

The team shot 57 percent from the field (36-of-63) and 50 percent from long range (13-of-26). Sophomore guard Jalen Harris scored 13, Boykins finished with 12, junior guard Derric Jean had 11 and freshmen Anthony Duruji and JaColby Pemberton score career highs with 10 points each.

“I really liked seeing those guys execute and play together,” Konkol said. “We had four freshmen out on the floor together at times and threw some different things at them. We wanted to see them execute, and they did. That was a real positive for us tonight.”

Miles College (0-6) ended up shooting 22-of-59 from the field (37 percent) and 2-of-13 from downtown (15 percent). The Golden Bears had two players with double-digit points, led by Carl Garcia who registered 14.

LA Tech continues its home stand on Wednesday, Dec. 6 versus Stephen F. Austin. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in the TAC.

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