RUSTON – Louisiana Tech continues its stretch of three road games in seven days as they take on New Mexico State Saturday night inside the Pan American Center.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. CT
Location: Pan American Center (Las Cruces, N.M.)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (19-8, 9-3 CUSA)
LA Tech extended its winning streak to three on Thursday by defeating UTEP in El Paso, 65-59.  The matchup had nine ties and 18 lead changes, but the Bulldogs were able to pull away late and secure their fourth CUSA road win and remain tied atop the conference standings.
 
It was another stellar defensive effort that contributed to the victory as the 'Dogs held the Miners to 38.7 percent shooting.  LA Tech also owned the glass by outrebounding UTEP, 45-28.  Three Bulldogs pulled down at least eight rebounds including Will Allen (10) and Tahlik Chavez (nine) who each recorded new career highs on the boards.
 
Chavez also led all scorers with 20 points, going 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-9 from three-point range. The guard continues to lead CUSA in three-point shooting at a 42.3 percent clip and is now ranked in the top 10 in program history for most threes made in a single season (has made 71).  He is now averaging 16.3 points per game during league play.
 
Isaiah Crawford nearly hit the 20-point mark, registering 19 for the game.  His scoring average in league play is up to 17.6 points per contest, which ranks second in the conference.
 
LA Tech also got a big boost with the return of starters Daniel Batcho and Sean Newman Jr.  Batcho tallied 11 points, five rebounds, and five blocks while Newman Jr. dished out six assists.  Batcho is now averaging 2.4 rejections per game, 10th best in the nation.  Newman Jr. is now at 5.2 assists per game, which ranks first in CUSA and 40th in the country.
 
ABOUT NEW MEXICO STATE (11-16, 5-7 CUSA)
New Mexico State is in a four-way tie for fourth in the CUSA standings, having just suffered its first home loss in league play this past Thursday at the hands of Sam Houston. 
 
The Aggies, who have dropped four straight, were down big at halftime and never could make a comeback, falling 79-58 to the Bearkats in what was just their second home loss of the season.
 
Eight Aggies are averaging at least seven points per game led by Femi Odukale and Christian Cook who are averaging 10.9 and 10.0 points per game, respectively.  Odukale also leads the Aggies in rebounding at 6.3 boards per contest.
 
As a team, NM State ranks third in the league and 50th in the country in field goal percentage defense allowing opponents to shoot just 41.2 percent from the field.  
 
THE SERIES
NM State leads the all-time series over LA Tech, 16-5.  The Bulldogs were victorious nearly a month ago in Ruston, winning 73-53 which was their largest ever victory over the Aggies.
 
LA Tech will be trying to do something they have never done before and that is beat NM State in the Pan American Center.  The Bulldogs are 0-10 all-time versus the Aggies in Las Cruces. 
 
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