March 14, 2010

RUSTON, La. - For the first time since 2006, the Louisiana Tech men's basketball team will play in the postseason when they host Southern Miss in the first round of the CIT on Thursday at 7 p.m.

"We are both honored and excited to participate in the CIT tournament in our staff's third year at Tech," head coach Kerry Rupp said. "I am also extremely proud of our team in fighting through adversity with injuries down the stretch to win in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament and get into the semifinals for the second straight year."

Southern Miss is 20-13 overall and finished sixth in Conference USA with an 8-8 record. The Golden Eagles feature Second-Team all-Conference USA performer Gary Flowers. The junior forward leads the team with 15.0 points 8.3 rebounds. Southern Miss is coached by Larry Eustachy who is in his sixth season at the helm of the Golden Eagle program.

Tech is 23-10 and coming off a semifinals loss to Utah State in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament as the No. 4 seed. This is their first postseason bid since the 2006 NIT. Playing at home should benefit the Bulldogs as they are 11-2 in the Thomas Assembly Center this season. The Golden Eagles are 6-7 on the road this season.

"Going from six wins in our staff's first year to 23 wins this season has been exciting," Rupp said. "As a team committed to growing our program year after year it is rewarding to achieve one of our preseason goals, to playing in a postseason tournament event. It will be a fitting tribute to our four senior players who has helped us accomplish so much to play at home once again."

It will be the 63rd meeting between the schools and the first since 2008 when Southern Miss beat LA Tech 80-56 in the Gulf Coast Classic in Biloxi, Miss. Southern Miss leads the overall series 38-24, but Tech has won the last five meetings in the Thomas Assembly Center.

The CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament is in its second season of existence and features 16 teams.

Ticket Information: Tickets are available by emailing the Tech Ticket Office at techtickets@latech.edu. They are available online at latechsports.com by noon Monday. Tickets prices for Thursday's game are as follows: Lower level: $15; Upper level: $10; All-Students with valid ID: $5 (have to buy the tickets in person); Children (13 and under): $5.

Fans can contact the Tech Ticket Office at 318-257-3631. Tickets are also available through ticketmaster.