RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech Men's Basketball team plays its first Conference USA game at home on Sunday, hosting Liberty in a nationally televised contest inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 14 | 2 p.m. CT
Location: Thomas Assembly Center (Ruston, La.)
TV: ESPN2 | WatchESPN app
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics App
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Tickets: LATechSports.com/Tickets ($5 anywhere)
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (11-6, 1-1 CUSA)
LA Tech snapped its four-game road losing streak on Thursday, defeating Middle Tennessee by a final score of 60-52, picking up its first league victory.  The Bulldogs were locked in defensively, limiting the Blue Raiders to 38.9 percent shooting while also forcing 18 turnovers.
 
The 'Dogs went 8-of-19 from deep to help come away victorious.  In doing so, they have vaulted to the top of CUSA in three-point shooting percentage at 36.2.  Over the last four games, LA Tech is shooting 38.8 percent from beyond the arc and 40.9 percent in its two league games.
 
One of the reasons for percentage from three-point range is Tahlik Chavez.  He continued his scoring tear on Thursday, posting 15 points including three triples.  He currently ranks third in CUSA in three-point field goal percentage (40.9) and fourth in threes made per game (2.6).  Over the last four games, he is averaging 15.0 points while shooting 51.9 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Daniel Batcho was huge versus the Blue Raiders as well, registering his CUSA-leading seventh double-double with 16 points and 13 boards (no other league player has more than two double-doubles).  Meanwhile, his frontcourt partner Isaiah Crawford tallied 14 points, making it seven straight games scoring in double figures.  Crawford continues to pace the team offensively at 14.8 points per game.
 
After having played five of their last six games on the road, the Bulldogs will now enjoy three of their next four at home where they are a perfect 8-0 this season.
 
ABOUT LIBERTY (11-6, 0-2 CUSA)
Co-preseason CUSA favorite Liberty got off to a blazing start this season, winning its first six games including three victories to claim the Myrtle Beach Invitational title.  Since then, the Flames have gone 5-6 including back-to-back losses to WKU and Sam Houston to start league play.
 
Offensively, the Flames average 29.8 three-point attempts per game and 10.7 made threes per game, both of which rank in the top 10 in the country.  They are shooting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and have taken at least 30 threes in nine games this season, including five of their last six contests.
 
Other aspects of Liberty's game that are impressive include its passing (average 17.2 assists) and its ability to take care of the basketball (average only 9.5 turnovers).  Both of those statistics rank in the top 25 in the nation.
 
Liberty has balanced scoring with four Flames averaging double-digit points.  Leading the charge is Kyle Rode, a Lou Henson Award Midseason Watch List selection, who is averaging 13.0 points per contest.  He has knocked down 47 three-pointers this season, which ranks as the 30th most in the country.
 
Right behind him in scoring is Kaden Metheny (11.9), Zach Cleveland (11.1), and Brody Peebles (10.8).  Facilitating most of the offense is Colin Porter who has 64 assists on the season with a 3.05 assist/turnover ratio.
 
THE SERIES
This will be the first ever meeting between LA Tech and Liberty on the hardwood.  The two teams almost faced off against one another back in 2017 as they participated in the New Orleans Shootout Tournament.  The Bulldogs defeated Alabama State while the Flames suffered a loss to Fort Wayne so the two did not meet up in the tournament finals.
 
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