RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech men's basketball team returns to the Thomas Assembly Center on Sunday when they play host to Northwestern State at 1 p.m. on Karl Malone Court.
 
The matchup will conclude the Louisiana Tech Classic presented by Hampton Inn of Ruston.  It will be streamed live on CUSA.tv (subscription required).  Fans can also listen to the "Voice of the Bulldogs" Dave Nitz and Jack Thigpen call the action through the LA Tech Sports Network on KXKZ 107.5 FM (Ruston) and KOKA 980 AM (Shreveport) as well as on the LA Tech Athletics app.
 
LA Tech (1-0) got its 2020-21 season started on Friday, defeating UT Arlington by a final score of 76-71.  The Bulldogs got off to a slow start, scoring just 11 points through the first 10 minutes of the game, but they turned it on and led for the final 28:41.
 
Bench production was pivotal in the victory, getting 39 points out of the non-starters.  Both JaColby Pemberton and Andrew Gordon produced career-highs in scoring off the bench with 19 and 14 points, respectively. 
 
The duo combined to make 13-of-16 field goal attempts for 81 percent.  Pemberton also added on a game-high 12 rebounds for his sixth career double-double.  It marked the first double-double in a season opener since 2015. 
 
The Bulldogs shot 44 percent as a team and help the Mavericks to just 37 percent shooting. 
 
LA Tech is now 78-4 at home against non-conference opponents, having won 14 straight.  They remain undefeated in the TAC against UT Arlington, winning all eight.  They are also undefeated in the TAC against Northwestern State (0-1), having won all nine meetings.
 
Sunday will be the 144th meeting ever between the Bulldogs and Demons, the third most of an opponent behind only Centenary and UL-Lafayette.  It will be the first meeting though since 2014. 
 
The Demons entered Saturday with one game under their belt, suffering a 101-58 setback at No. 14 Texas Tech in their season opener.  Freshman Kendal Coleman flirted with a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds. 
 
NSU, who returns 10 letterwinners, was picked 10th (out of 14) in the Southland Conference preseason poll.  They posted a 15-15 overall record last season (most wins since the 2014-15 season) and finished in a tie for fourth in the league standings with an 11-9 mark.
 
Fans can follow Bulldog Basketball on Twitter (@LATechHoops), Instagram (@LATechHoops) and Facebook (LATechMBB) for live in-game updates.