OMAHA – The Louisiana Tech men's basketball team got it to within one possession on multiple occasions in the second half, but Creighton hit timely shots late to hand the Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 82-72, on Saturday night in front of 16,919 inside the CHI Health Center.
 
Trailing for the majority of the game, LA Tech (2-1) was within one possession four different times, including at the four-minute mark down two.  However, Creighton (2-1) hit two of its 13 three-pointers and got to the foul line to outscore the Bulldogs, 13-5, to finish the game.
 
"I thought we got better as the game progressed," said head coach Eric Konkol.  "We took a lot of punches early.  Creighton is a team that is elite at shooting the three and shooting them quick.  They make you pay on any type of mistake.  We got ourselves behind, but we kept fighting back and that says a lot about our guys.
 
The Bulldogs quickly jumped out to an 8-2 lead thanks to back-to-back triples by Kalob Ledoux and DaQuan Bracey.  Then, the Bluejays put on a shooting clinic by hitting six of their first eight shot attempts from beyond the arc. 
 
Creighton would build its largest lead to 36-23 with 5:49 to play in the first half, but LA Tech chipped away and got to within six at halftime at 42-36. 
 
The 'Dogs finally got to within one possession with 9:22 left in the game after a made layup by Derric Jean, but the Bluejays responded with a dunk by Kelvin Jones.  Bracey punched back with a contested layup to get back to within three.  Creighton countered with a three-pointer by Mitch Ballock. 
 
Bracey followed with an old-fashioned three-point play as LA Tech was now down 63-60 with 7:10 remaining.  Another timely shot – a three-pointer – by Ballock extended Creighton's lead yet again.
 
The Bulldogs made it a two-point game at 69-67 with four minutes left after an offensive rebound and putback by Mubarak Muhammed.  And after a defensive stop, the road team finally had a chance to tie or take the lead, but a costly turnover resulted in yet another three by the Bluejays. 
 
LA Tech shot 44 percent from the field (30-68) and 29 percent from beyond the arc (8-28).  Four Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Bracey who tallied 17.  Derric Jean added 12 and Amorie Archibald, seeing his first action of the regular season, posted 10.
 
Muhammed recorded his second career double-double, registering 14 points and a career-high 16 rebounds.
 
"We always want him on the glass," said Konkol.  "He played extremely hard, playing 33 minutes.  To come up with 16 rebounds is an exceptional amount and he did it against some big guys.  It gave us a big lift."
 
Creighton shot 47 percent from the field (27-58) and 45 percent from downtown (13-29).  Their trio of starting guards – Ty-Shon Alexander, Marcus Zegarowski and Ballock – combined to hit all 13 threes.  Ballock led the way with 22 points.
 
LA Tech returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 19 when the Bulldogs play host to Mississippi Valley State.  Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
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