Dec. 10, 2008

Box Score

RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech (4-4) was able to stay ahead just enough of UL-Monroe (2-5) Wednesday night in the Thomas Assembly Center and finished with a 69-57 win to extend its winning streak to two in a row.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 14 points in the first half of play before the Warhawks would eventually cut the lead to one. It would not be enough, however, as Tech stayed the course and won the ball game.

"Our hats go off to ULM," Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. "They executed their schemes very well, and they played very hard. When we do a good job of executing and moving the ball inside, usually good things happen."

Tech jumped to a 10-2 lead in the first four minutes of the ballgame thanks to early scoring from junior Kyle Gibson. The Warhawks, however, rallied back for the remainder of the stanza and cut the lead down to three at the half to trail 32-29. Gibson and junior Magnum Rolle led the Bulldogs in scoring with 19 total first half points between the two going into the halftime locker room.

Tech shot 55 percent in the first half compared to 43 percent for the Warhawks. For the game, the Bulldogs went 25-50 for 50 percent while ULM shot 22-55 for 40 percent.

Rolle led all scorers with 19 points on 7-10 shooting with eight rebounds. Gibson finished the night with 16 points, while junior Kenneth Cooper totaled 13 points and seven rebounds.

"We want to see our bigs pass between each other," Rupp said. "Once the opposition takes that away, we look to pass out to our shooters and then pass back down into the post. I thought we did a good job of being aggressive. Magnum especially did a good job. I like when we are attacking and looking for plays."

Lawrence Gilbert led ULM with 14 points.

The Bulldogs return to action for another "home" game Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. in the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, La., to take on the Centenary Gents.