RUSTON – Louisiana Tech's AJ Bates was voted as the Conference USA Freshman of the Week, announced by the league office Monday.
 
Bates saw his production increase this past Friday as the freshman guard played a season-high 24 minutes in the 77-63 victory over Georgia Southern. 
 
The Houston, Texas native went on to score a season-high 10 points, going 4-of-7 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, while also registering three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
 
Bates had a team-best +19 plus/minus and made two big plays in the game, hitting a corner three-pointer to put LA Tech up, 53-52, and diving for a loose ball that led to a layup for the Bulldogs to extend their 13-0 run and pull away from the Eagles in the second half.
 
This is the first CUSA weekly honor for Bates and the first Bulldog to receive this award since Jordan Crawford in 2023.  Overall, he is the eighth Bulldog to be named CUSA Freshman of the Week.
 
Bates and the Bulldogs play host to Grand Canyon tonight at 6:30 p.m. inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
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