Nov. 17, 2010
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
RUSTON, La. - Sophomore guard Brandon Gibson scored a game-high 12 points including five of Tech's final eight points as the Louisiana Tech men's basketball team defeated Houston 60-54 on Wednesday at the Thomas Assembly Center.
Houston held a lead for a total of just under four minutes as the Bulldogs controlled most of the game and improved to 2-1 while the Cougars fell to 2-1.
"We made a lot of mistakes," said Tech head coach Kerry Rupp, "but I thought we did a good job of making some defensive stands. Everyone found a way to contribute and make it happen for each other."
Junior forward Olu Ashaolu scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds and senior guard DeAndre Brown recorded 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Bulldogs trailed 10-7 in the first five minutes until Tech scored seven unanswered points capped off by a Kenyon McNeaill three-pointer for a 14-10 lead. With the score tied 19-19, Tech closed the half with a 9-0 run to take a 28-19 halftime lead.
"In the first half I thought we did a really good job in transition and our defensive effort was really good," Rupp said. "In the second half, Houston did a good job of establishing their guys inside. Houston played the full 40 minutes and we were challenged, but our guys did a real good job answering the challenge."
LA Tech grabbed a 36-23 lead after an Ashaolu dunk for its biggest lead of the game at the 16:07 mark. With the Bulldogs leading 45-33, the Cougars went on an 11-2 run to close the deficit to three points, 47-44 with seven minutes remaining.
The score remained close as turnovers and fouls hurt the Bulldogs, as did Houston's hot shooting from the field as they shot 56 percent in the second half. However, Tech still took a three-point lead under two minutes, 52-49. Gibson then hit a 15-foot field goal to give Tech a 54-49 lead with 1:27 remaining.
With 33 seconds remaining, the Cougars fouled McNeaill. The freshman hit his first attempt and missed his second, but Ashaolu was there for the put-back dunk as the Bulldogs went up 57-49. Gibson then hit 3-of-4 free throws in the final 28 seconds as Tech held on for the 60-54 win.
Tech shot 40 percent from the field while Houston shot 43.8 percent. The Bulldogs won the battle of the boards 60-54 including 12 offensive rebounds which turned into 12 second chance points.
Maurice McNeil and Darian Thibodeaux led the Cougars in scoring with 11 points each.
Up next, Louisiana Tech continues play in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer in Irvine, Calif. The Bulldogs face Seattle on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, Navy on Saturday at 7 p.m. CT and UC Irvine on Sunday at 7 p.m.
