RUSTON – Louisiana Tech looks to snap its two-game losing streak on Thursday night when the Bulldogs host Jacksonville State inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m. CT
Location: Thomas Assembly Center (Ruston, La.)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Tickets: LATechSports.com/Tickets
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (16-8, 6-3 CUSA)
LA Tech lost a heartbreaker this past Saturday, falling in the final seconds to Liberty, 65-62.  After tying the game up at 62-62, the Flames were able to hit a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to pull out the win. 
 
The Bulldogs were solid defensively, especially in the first half when they allowed just 22 points.  For the game, they registered 11 steals and five blocks.  LA Tech ranks first in CUSA and 23rd in the country with an average of 5.0 blocks per contest.  They also continue to rank top 15 in the nation in scoring defense (63.6) and field goal percentage defense (39.0).
 
Isaiah Crawford led the Bulldogs in scoring for a ninth time this season, tallying 19 points.  He has scored in double figures in 13 of the last 14 games and is averaging 17.2 points per game during CUSA play, tied for third best in the league.  On the defensive end, he tied his career high with six steals to go along with three rejections.  He currently ranks in the top three in league play in both steals per game (2.56) and blocks per game (2.11).
 
Daniel Batcho had 18 points and a game-high nine rebounds versus the Flames.  He continues to average a double-double at 14.7 points and 10.5 boards per contest (ranks 10th in the country), one of only 13 players in the nation averaging a double-double.  He has led LA Tech in rebounding 17 times this season, including seven of the last eight games.
 
Sean Newman Jr. dished out seven assists against Liberty, the 14th time this season with at least five in a single game.  He currently leads CUSA in assists per game at 5.3 a contest.
 
Despite the two consecutive losses, LA Tech is still tied atop the CUSA standings with Sam Houston.  The Bulldogs have seven conference games remaining, four of which are at home.
 
ABOUT JACKSONVILLE STATE (12-13, 4-6 CUSA)
Jacksonville State is in seventh in the CUSA standings.  After opening league play with consecutive wins over FIU and Liberty that were part of a six-game winning streak, the Gamecocks have lost six of their last eight games.
 
This past week, Jax State split its home contests, defeating Sam Houston, 79-68, while falling to WKU, 70-59.  The Gamecocks are 4-8 on the road this season, having lost four straight away from home.
 
The Gamecocks excel on the defensive end, particularly in the rebounding category.  While they are allowing just 65.0 points per game, which ranks 29th in the country, they are one of the best in the league at rebounding the basketball.  In league play, they rank first in rebounding defense (31.20) and second in rebounding margin (+4.80), having only been outrebounded five times all season.
 
Guard KyKy Tandy has been the top scorer in CUSA for much of the season.  For the year, he is averaging 18.5 points per game which has also been his scoring average in conference play. 
 
He is a three-level scorer, shooting 43.2 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 89.2 percent from the foul line.  He has made 70 three-pointers this season, second most in CUSA.
 
THE SERIES
LA Tech and Jax State met for the very first time back on Jan. 20 with the Bulldogs prevailing, 74-57, in Jacksonville, Alabama.  Isaiah Crawford went off for a career-high 30 points, 21 of which came in the second half.  The Bulldogs closed the game out by making 12 of their last 14 field goal attempts to pull away for a 17-point road victory.
 
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