EL PASO, Texas – Louisiana Tech gave up 50 first-half points and could never get over the hump, falling by a final score of 82-74 to UTEP on Friday night in game one inside the Don Haskins Center.
 
LA Tech (11-5, 4-3 C-USA) came into the contest ranked first in the league in multiple defensive categories within conference play, but UTEP (7-6, 3-4 C-USA) got into a quick rhythm by making 20 field goals in the first 20 minutes, including eight threes.
 
The defense turned the page in the second half, holding the Miners to just 33.3 percent shooting and only two made triples.  Nevertheless, after trailing by 12 at halftime and as much as 16 in the second stanza, the closest the Bulldogs were able to get was six and that came in the final seconds.
 
"I was really disappointed in our defense," said head coach Eric Konkol.  "UTEP got themselves into a really good rhythm.  They were crisp with their movements and we were a step slow.  We were not connected from a communication standpoint, especially when we tried to trap the post early.  They got loose, got open looks and knocked them down. 
 
"Part of our plan was to keep it out of the paint and try to make them make more three-point shots.  We just needed them to be more contested than they really were."
 
LA Tech never led in the game.  JaColby Pemberton tied things up early at 12-12 after a made three-pointer, but the Miners proceeded to go on an 11-0 run (made 10 of their first 14 shots).
 
UTEP extended its lead to 34-19 after a made shot from long range by Bryson Williams.  The 'Dogs were able to counter, going on an 8-0 run that included two triples by Xaiver Armstead. 
 
Isaiah Crawford's fastbreak layup sliced the deficit down to four with 3:42 left in the first half.  However, the Miners closed out the half strong by making five straight baskets to give them a 50-38 edge going into the locker room.
 
LA Tech had a few runs in them in the second half, including the stretch where Kenneth Lofton, Jr. made eight straight points, but UTEP had an answer for every one. 
 
Lofton, Jr. ended up with a career-high 20 points while also matching his career-high of 13 rebounds.  The freshman led the team in both stats.  JaColby Pemberton (15), Amorie Archibald (11) and Isaiah Crawford (10) were the other Bulldogs scoring double-digit points.
 
The team made 26 of their 34 free-throw attempts, but shot just 31.7 percent from the field, which is their second lowest of the season and lowest in C-USA play.
 
"We got into the paint and got to the free throw line," said Konkol.  "We did miss some layups though.  I thought we were being aggressive, but we have to be able to convert on those opportunities.
 
"We know we have been in this position before.  We have a good look at what we need to get better at.  This was a hard-played game tonight so we have to be able to regroup physically.  And mentally, we have to look at some things in order to get better for tomorrow."
 
The Miner duo of Williams and Souley Boum combined for 52 points as the home team shot 49.2 percent from the field.
 
LA Tech and UTEP will face off in game No. 2 on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.  The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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