RUSTON – Louisiana Tech plays its final road game of the regular season on Saturday when they take on Middle Tennessee.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 25 | 3 p.m. CT
Location: Murphy Center (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
TV/Stream: Stadium
Talent: Chris Hassel (pxp), Tim Scarborough (analyst)
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (13-15, 6-11 C-USA)
LA Tech could not overcome a sluggish start at WKU, losing 76-66 to the Hilltoppers in Bowling Green on Thursday. The Bulldogs trailed for the entire game, down by as much as 16 early in the second half. They did slice the deficit down to four with five minutes to go, but WKU countered with a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach.
 
The Bulldogs have struggled defensively during this five-game losing skid as their opponents are shooting a combined 52.1 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range. The first half has been a particular struggle during this stretch, hav­ing a -6.4 scoring average versus a +0.2 scoring average in the second half.
 
Isaiah Crawford and Keaston Willis combined for 30 points against WKU.  They are the top two scorers for the Bulldogs, averaging 13.2 and 12.4 points per game, respectively.  Over the last four games, they are each averaging 17 points per game while combining for 21 three-pointers.
 
ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE (17-11, 10-7 C-USA)
Middle Tennessee enters Saturday having won two straight, both home victories over No. 25 Florida Atlantic and FIU. The Blue Raiders had a bye on Thursday and have not played since their 69-58 victory over the Panthers this past Saturday.
 
The Blue Raiders have won six straight at home and are 11-2 overall in the Murphy Center this season. They have won seven of their eight conference games in their home building.
 
Middle Tennessee has the second best field goal percentage during conference play at 46.2 percent. They also rank third in league games in three-point shooting percentage at 38.0 percent
 
Defensively, the Blue Raiders protect the rim with an average of 5.0 blocks per contest, which ranks 17th in the country. They also turn you over, averaging 15.3 forced turnovers per game, which ranks 33rd in the country.
 
It is scoring by committee for Middle Tennes­see who has five players averaging at least nine points per game, led by Eli Lawrence at 12.6 points. He has made a team-best 46 three-pointers this season.
 
THE SERIES
LA Tech leads the all-time series over Middle Tennessee, 13-6.  The Bulldogs have won six of the 10 meetings since the two became league foes in Conference USA. 
 
The Blue Raiders did dominate the first game in the season series back on Jan. 21, winning 68-51 in Ruston.  The Bulldogs were held to 38.8 percent shooting and made just three of their 21 three-point attempts. 
 
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