Louisiana Tech blows out Crowley’s Ridge to close out non-conference play

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech led wire-to-wire in a 99-56 blowout win over Crowley’s Ridge College to wrap up non-conference play on Wednesday inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.

LA Tech (9-3) opened the game on an 11-0 run and finished the first half on a 15-0 run to take a commanding 50-22 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The lead gradually grew in the second stanza as all 11 players scored, maxing out at a 46-point advantage after Ben Ponder scored in a driving layup with just 22 seconds remaining.

Ponder, along with Amorie Archibald, Terran Williams, Kenny Hunter and Stacey Thomas (playing for the first time this season) all recorded new season highs in scoring. Archibald led the way with 20 points.

The Bulldogs were dominant inside, scoring 62 points in the paint while shooting 79 percent from two (made 34 of their 43 two-point field goals). They ended up shooting a season-high 57.1 percent from the field while also scoring a season high in points.

Crowley’s Ridge (1-14) managed just 20 made field goals on 31.7 percent shooting. Three Pioneers found double-digits in scoring, led by Braxton Cousins who had 20.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Eric Konkol

“Anytime you go into the Christmas break, you are asking your team to stay focused. In this game, we wanted to play with effort and share the basketball. I was hopeful to get a lot of guys in the game and get some experience. We were able to do that. Was pleased to see 21 assists and just six turnovers. A number of guys scored. A lot of good things. Happy to send our guys home for a few days with a win under their belt.”

NOTABLES
• The 99 points was the most scored by the Bulldogs this season and the most since they scored 101 versus Rice in February of last season.
• LA Tech has now won 15 straight games at home, marking the eighth time they have had at least a 15-game home winning streak since the Thomas Assembly Center opened in 1982.
• The Bulldogs have now won 28 straight home games against non-conference opponents, the second longest streak since the TAC opened.
• This marks the fourth straight season the Bulldogs have gone undefeated at home during non-conference play.
• LA Tech finished out non-conference play with a 9-3 record. It is the eighth time in the last 10 seasons the Bulldogs have recorded at least nine non-conference victories.
• Six Bulldogs scored in double figures for the first time since Feb. 8, 2020 versus Marshall.
• LA Tech matched its season high with 21 assists.
• The Bulldogs scored 62 points in the paint, the most in the last 10 years.
• Amorie Archibald made is 118th career start as a Bulldog, tied for the third most in program history.
• Exavian Christon played in his 100th career game as a Bulldog.
• Amorie Archibald scored a season-high 20 points. He became the fifth Bulldog this season to register at least 20 points in a single game.
• Kenneth Lofton, Jr. netted 14 points. He has scored at least 12 points in all 11 games he has played in this season.
• Kenny Hunter scored a season-high 10 points.
• Terran Williams scored a career-high 10 points.
• Stacey Thomas saw action in his first game this season, playing 14 minutes while recording six points and five rebounds.
• Ben Ponder scored his first career points as a Bulldog, tallying four.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will open up Conference USA play at home on Thursday, Dec. 30 versus Marshall. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT and will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

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