Dec. 22, 2009
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
RUSTON, La. - Louisiana Tech heads into winter break with an 11-2 record after defeating Texas-Pan American 81-60 on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs beat the Broncs (1-12) by 18 in their season-opener, but struggled early in the first half only ahead by five at the break. However, Tech shot 61 percent in the second half and held UTPA to 38 percent for the game to pull away for the win.
"11-2 is 11-2," said head coach Kerry Rupp. "That's a team that is going to grind you out. They (UTPA) run their plays very well. That's a tough team to play and it's just a matter of staying after it for the full 40 minutes."
Senior Magnum Rolle tied a team-high 16 points and tied a career-high with six blocks. Senior Kyle Gibson also scored 16 points including two three-pointers and five assists. Sophomore Olu Ashaolu was one point and one rebound shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, four offensive.
"We needed to break them down with some penetration and ball movement and DeAndre (Brown) is very good at penetrating and getting in the paint," said Rupp. "He was huge for us. We had trouble getting the ball inside all night so we went to plan B which was penetrate."
Brown scored 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting and two three-pointers. It was his fifth straight game in double-figures.
Despite holding the Broncs to 33 percent shooting from the floor, the Bulldogs held just a 30-25 lead at the half. Gibson, who is leading the Western Athletic Conference in scoring, was held to just two points.
Brown and Gibson each hit two field goals to give Tech a 44-34 lead with 12 minutes remaining. David Jackson nailed one of his two three's in the game to give Tech a 55-38 lead at the 10 minute mark. The Bulldogs used a 17-8 run over almost four minutes of play to take a 61-42 lead.
The 21-point win margin was the largest lead of the game.
Jackson led six Bulldog players off the bench with eight points and five rebounds.
Freshman Tevin Hall, a native of Bossier City, La., played the final minute of the game and hit his only three-point attempt for his first collegiate points.
Tech outrebounded UTPA 41-29. The Bulldogs were 15-of-23 (65.2 percent) from the free throw line compared to the Broncs who were 5-of-7 (71.4 percent).
LA Tech wraps up non-conference action at Houston next Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.
Worth Noting: Prior to the contest, Dave Nitz was recognized for his 35 years as the voice of Louisiana Tech Bulldog athletics on the Louisiana Tech Radio Network. The game against UTPA was his 2,000 broadcast. He was recognized prior to the game with his family in attendance and was inducted as an honorary member of the T-Club.
