Total team effort lifts LA Tech in 87-60 win over Texas Southern

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech was efficient in almost every phase Wednesday night, leading wire-to-wire in an 87-60 victory over Texas Southern inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.

LA Tech (5-2) continued to click offensively, eclipsing 80+ points for the fifth straight game while scoring at all three levels – from the field (season-high 33 made field goals), from beyond the arc (10 made three-pointers) and from the foul line (went 11-of-13).

It was the defensive end though that head coach Eric Konkol wanted to see cranked up a notch, specifically in the rebounding category against one of the best rebounding teams in the country in Texas Southern (0-7).

LA Tech ended up setting the tone on that end of the floor as well, holding the Tigers to just 23 first-half points to help take a 42-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Kenneth Lofton, Jr. was starting to take over, juking his defender with the ball to make a three-foot floater to give the ‘Dogs a 48-30 edge with 15:09 to play. He immediately came out of the game due to injury, but the offense stayed in rhythm.

Amorie Archibald took over for a stretch, scoring seven straight points. The advantage continued to grow with scoring from all Bulldogs, especially David Green who’s fourth (out of five) three-pointer gave the home team their largest lead of the contest at 82-47 with 4:12 to go.

Green ended up scoring a team-high 19 points while Archibald and Lofton, Jr. each chipped in with 15. LaDamien Bradford and Kenny Hunter were not far behind with eight apiece, combining to make all seven field goals.

TSU was held to 35 percent shooting for the night, getting a team-high 15 points and 10 rebounds from John Walker III.

QUOTABLES
Head coach Eric Konkol

“I was very concerned coming into this game because of what Texas Southern has shown in games. They have played some really good teams, been ahead at the half in four of them and come down to the wire in several. Rebounding was the biggest concern. We challenged our team to fight for every rebound out there. I thought holding them to just three offensive rebounds in the first half was a huge measure of where we wanted to be. And we took care of the basketball to help us build a good lead and were able to extend it in the second half.”

NOTABLES
• With the 87-60 win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series over Texas Southern, 3-0.
• The Bulldogs extended their home winning streak to 12 and have now won 25 straight home games over non-conference opponents.
• LA Tech has scored 80+ points in five straight games.
• The Bulldogs have scored 40+ points in nine of the last 10 halves.
• The 33 made field goals was the most by the Bulldogs this season.
• LA Tech hit 10 three-pointers in the game. They have recorded 10+ threes in four of their seven games this season.
• Amorie Archibald made his 129th career appearance and 113th career start.
• David Green recorded a career-high 19 points. He sank a career-high five three-pointers in the process.
• Amorie Archibald netted 15 points, the fifth time this season with double-digit points.
• Despite leaving the game due to injury, Kenneth Lofton, Jr. scored 15 points. He has reached double-digit points in every game this season, one of just eight players in C-USA to do so.
• Kenneth Lofton, Jr. also led the Bulldogs in rebounding with seven. He has been the team’s leading rebounder in 12 straight games dating back to last season.
• LaDamien Bradford scored a career-high eight points. He has made his last seven field goal attempts. He also tied his career-high with four rebounds.
• Cobe Williams tied his career-high with eight assists (also had eight at Northwestern State earlier this season).

UP NEXT
LA Tech heads to the west coast to face Santa Clara on Saturday, Dec. 4. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. CT and will be streamed on the WCC Network.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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