Self-inflicted wounds too much to overcome for LA Tech at FIU

MIAMI – Turnovers and fouling were the difference for Louisiana Tech on Thursday night as the Bulldogs fell, 66-62, to FIU inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Despite making more field goals (23 to 22) and more three-point field goals (nine to four), LA Tech (13-11, 6-7 C-USA) matched its season high in TOs with 23 and sent FIU (13-12, 7-7 C-USA) to the free throw line 28 times.

The first 14 minutes were great for the Bulldogs, building a 30-19 advantage after Isaiah Crawford’s bucket in the paint with 6:08 to go in the first half.

The next 14 minutes however was a completely different story. The turnovers started to mount, which allowed the Panthers to close the half on a 9-0 run to get to within two at 30-28 going into the locker room.

The story continued unfortunately into the second half as the Bulldogs, stuck on 30 points for nearly 10 minutes of basketball, finally stopped a bad scoring drought with two made free throws by Cobe Williams. That was after FIU ending up extending its run to 17-0 to grab a 36-30 lead.

With its largest deficit at eight with 8:18 to play, the offense finally started to come around again for LA Tech. After Kaleb Stewart drained his fourth three-pointer of the game, Jordan Crawford and Kenny Hunter connected on an alley-oop slam to take the lead back at 56-55 with 3:25 left.

FIU countered with a dunk of its own, and then tacked on seven made free throws down the stretch to stop LA Tech from going back in front.

It was a one-possession game in the final four minutes of the contest. The ‘Dogs had one final attempt to force overtime down three, but they were not able to get a shot attempt off after committing their 23rd turnover.

NOTABLES
• With the 66-62 loss, LA Tech now leads the all-time series over FIU, 9-8. The loss snapped the Bulldogs three-game winning streak over the Panthers.
• The 128 combined points was the fewest in the series since 2001.
• LA Tech pulled down 19 offensive rebounds, the second most in a single game this season.
• LA Tech tied its season high with 23 turnovers.
• The Bulldogs tallied double-digit steals for the 10th time this season (had 10 for the game).
• Cobe Williams extended his streak of 16+ points to 14 games (had a team-high 16).
• Cobe Williams moved up to 33rd on the LA Tech career scoring list, passing Derric Jean (2015-20).He now has 1,189 career points.
• Kaleb Stewart came off the bench to score 13, playing a career-high 31 minutes. He has made 10 three-pointers over the last three games.
• Isaiah Crawford anchored the Bulldogs in rebounding (six), assists (four), and steals (four). It marked the eighth time this season he has the team’s leading rebounder.
• Isaiah Crawford registered four steals, marking the seventh time this season he has had at least four in a single game.
UP NEXT
LA Tech is on the road to take on league leader Florida Atlantic. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 11 inside Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena. The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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