March 11, 2008

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A last second effort by true freshman Orren Tims would not fall for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (6-24; 3-13 WAC) as the San Jose State Spartans held on for the 64-62 win in the play-in game for the 2008 Western Athletic Conference Tournament in the Pan American Center.

"It was a hard fought game," Tech head coach Kerry Rupp said. "These were two teams that knew each other very well. I thought they came out with some great energy in the first half. Our guys battled back, but it's unfortunate we couldn't get the win. We've always tried to compete and finish strong."

Despite shooting 40 percent in the first half, the Bulldogs trailed the Spartans 31-27 going into the halftime locker room. Junior JC Clark shot 3-for-3 from the three-point line for nine first half points.

Tech would come out firing in the second half, however. Junior Drew Washington drained a three-point to tie the ballgame 33-33 with 18:30 left on the clock. Washington struck again after sophomore Kyle Gibson nabbed an errant San Jose State pass for a 35-33 lead. The night saw a total of 14 lead changes; a majority in the second half.

Tech would fall behind the Spartans again before tying the game up with 12:19 to play with a Gibson three-pointer. Tech would reclaim the lead 49-48 with a three-pointer from freshman Dwayne Lathan. The Bulldogs matched a season-high with 12 threes on the night.

Yet another long three by Gibson gave the Bulldogs a 52-50 lead at the 9:41 mark. A runner in the lane shortly after by junior James Loe gave Tech its largest lead of the second half at 54-50. The Bulldogs would not be able to hold on for the remainder of the night and took the 64-62 loss.

Clark led Tech scorers with 17 points while Gibson added 14. DaShawn Wright led the Spartans with 17 points.

Tech ends its season with a 6-24 record after winning the last two regular season games at home against Hawaii and San Jose State last weekend.

\\