RUSTON – The 40th season of the Thomas Assembly Center starts on Friday night for Louisiana Tech when they host Jackson State at 6:30 p.m. on Karl Malone Court.  The matchup will be streamed live on ESPN+ with Lyn Rollins and Chris Mycoskie calling the action. 
 
The Thomas Assembly Center first opened its doors on Dec. 4, 1982.  LA Tech is 34-5 in home openers in the TAC, having won 14 straight.   
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Friday, Nov. 12 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: Thomas Assembly Center (Ruston, La.)
TV/Stream: ESPN+ (HERE)
Radio: 107.5 FM or LA Tech Athletics app
Stats: LATechSports.com (HERE)
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (0-1)
LA Tech is coming off a 94-63 loss at No. 14 Alabama this past Tuesday.  With the score tied at 16-16 seven minutes in, the Crimson Tide outscored the Bulldogs, 32-15, to build a 17-point lead at halftime.  LA Tech sliced the deficit down to 12 early in the second half, but that was as close as they would get.
 
Three Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by UIW transfer Keaston Willis who came off the bench to net 16 points while hitting three triples.  The 16 points scored by Willis was the most by a player making their Bulldog debut since 2011.
 
The starting frontcourt duo were the other two in double-figures as Isaiah Crawford recorded 15 points and seven rebounds while Kenneth Lofton, Jr. tallied 12 points and a team-high nine boards in limited action. 
 
LA Tech is currently riding an eight-game home winning streak and has won 21 of its last 22 games in the TAC.  They have also won 21 straight home contests against non-conference opponents.
 
ABOUT JACKSON STATE (0-1)
Jackson State opened the 2021-22 season with a 71-47 loss at No. 11 Illinois.  It is one of 12 straight road games the Tigers will play.  Jayveous McKinnis collected a double-double in the game with 11 points and 12 rebounds to go along with five steals and two blocks.
 
The forward was recently named to the Watch List for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award.  He is a two-time All-SWAC selection and has been named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons.  As a junior last season, he ranked second in the country in rebounds per game (13.2) and defensive rebounds per game (9.44).
 
JSU went 12-6 last season, going undefeated in conference play with a perfect 11-0 record in route to being co-regular season SWAC champions.  The Tigers enter this season picked third in the SWAC preseason poll.
 
THE SERIES
LA Tech and Jackson State will meet for the 15th time on the hardwood.  The Bulldogs have won 11 in a row in the series, including last season's 85-58 victory in Ruston.  The two squads have squared off in five of the last eight seasons. 
 
TICKETS
Season tickets are still on sale and can be purchased at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631. 
 
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