Boxscore Donell Allick's career performance spearheaded the Bulldogs' efforts as Louisiana Tech took a 81-63 win over McNeese State Saturday at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Both teams now stand at 4-4 as the Bulldogs head back out on the road to play at Memphis at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Allick hit on 6-of-7 field goal attempts, including 3-of-4 3-pointers, and also connected on 8-of-10 free throws to lead the way for the Bulldogs with a career-best 23 points while adding three rebounds, five assists and three steals.
But while the senior guard led the Bulldogs offensively, it was Allick's defensive work that meant just as much in the win as he helped hold McNeese's leading scorer Edward Garriet to nine points.
Garriet entered the contest averaging 17.7 points per game.
"That was
Donell Allick's best game in a Bulldog uniform," Tech coach Keith Richard said. "He had a great night shooting and did a great job defensively guarding McNeese's best player.
Corey Dean and Donell did a great defensive job in slowing down (Garriet)."
McNeese held a slight lead in the opening minutes before the Bulldogs moved out in front 8-7 on a
Paul Millsap basket with 16:55 remaining in the first half and never looked back.
Tech would go on to build as much as a 20-point advantage and refused to let the Cowboys cut the lead to below nine after halftime.
"I really think this was our best game of the year," Richard said. "It was a physical game, and McNeese is a good team. But our guys responded well and came out with a big win."
Millsap recorded his 26th career double-double for the 'Dogs as he totaled 20 points and 11 rebounds while
Wayne Powell,
Corey Dean and
Daevon Haskins added 10 points each for Tech.
The Bulldogs were coming off a frustrating loss at Texas-San Antonio where the Tech had connected on only 7-of-26 free throws. But a tough week of practice had the 'Dogs looking better in all phases of the game against McNeese State, including a 25-of-34 performance at the free throw line (73.5 percent).
"Coach (Richard) was really on us this week and told us that all five starting job were up for grabs and we were going to have to work to earn them," Allick said. "I took what he said seriously and turned it into a positive. I took the challenge of guarding Garriet seriously and did my best to defend him. This was a big game for us and we really worked hard to get the win."
For the first time this season Richard juggled his starting lineup, starting
Barry Thompson in place of
Corey Dean. Dean responded with a solid performance off the bench on both sides of the court.
"I'm very proud of Corey and the way he responded," Richard said. "It wasn't easy being a long-time starter and coming off the bench the way he did. We told the players in practice this week that the five best players in those practices would start. Corey handled himself extremely well and did a great job on offense and defense."
Tech's 81-point total was a season best as the Bulldogs hit on 50 percent (25-50) of their shots while holding McNeese State to a 36.5 shooting percentage (23-634). The Cowboys did win the battle on the boards, outrebounding Tech 39-36.
J.T. Williams led McNeese State with 11 points while Bryce May added 10 points for the Cowboys.
