RUSTON – Louisiana Tech is back inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court as the Bulldogs host Jackson State Satur­day night.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 15 | 6 p.m. CT
Location: Thomas Assembly Center
TV: ESPN+
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network (97.7 FM) | LA Tech Athletics app
Tickets: LATechSports.com/Tickets
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (1-1)
LA Tech picked up its first win of the 2025-26 season, routing Lyon College by a final score of 93-35.  The Bulldogs went on an absurd 41-2 run that spanned almost 14 minutes of action.  The 35 points was the fewest allowed by LA Tech in a single game in 10 years (second fewest all-time in the TAC).  The Bulldog defense held the Scots to just 25 percent shooting, the lowest by an opponent since Dec. 5, 2023, at Stephen F. Austin.  It also marked the 19th straight victory in a home opener.
 
LA Tech generated 15 steals versus the Scots, the most by the Bulldogs in a single game since Nov. 18, 2024, against Missis­sippi College.  Six different Bulldogs registered multiple steals, something that had not been done since that same game versus the Choctaws.
 
Jaylen Fenner made his first career start for the Bulldogs, making an impact on both sides of the floor with 15 points and four steals.  It marked the earliest start by a true freshman since 2011 (Speedy Smith).  His 15 points were the third most scored by a Bulldog true freshman in their first start in the last 15 years.
 
Avery Thomas II was extremely efficient from the floor against Lyon College, scoring a game-high 18 points while shooting 7-of-8 from the field and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc (all four came in the first half).  He became the first Bulldog since Amorie Archibald (Jan. 8, 2022) to shoot at least 80 percent from the field (minimum eight attempts) and 80 percent from long range (minimum five attempts).
 
Will Allen pulled down a game-high nine rebounds versus Lyon College, sharing the honors with his frontcourt running mate Kylan Howze.  For Allen, it marked the first time in his career he was the Bulldogs leading rebounder.  The redshirt senior also made the first three-pointer of his career (was previously 0-for-4). The duo has started both games this season.
 
ABOUT JACKSON STATE (0-2)
Jackson State was picked to finish third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason poll behind Bethune-Cookman and Southern.
 
The Tigers went 16-18 overall last season while going 14-4 in league play to finish second in the SWAC.  They had convincing victories over Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman before falling to Alabama State 60-56 in the SWAC Tournament championship game.
 
Challenging is an understatement when de­scribing Jackson State's non-conference slate with the Tigers having to play 12 of their 13 contests away from home (10 true road games and two neutral site games in the Chris Paul HBCU Classic in Atlanta, Georgia).
 
It is some stiff competition as well for JSU. They have already suffered losses to No. 17 Il­linois (113-55) and No. 11 Louisville (106-70).  After facing LA Tech, the Tigers will play at na­tionally ranked Auburn and Arkansas.  Then in December, they will take on the current No. 1 team in the nation in Houston.
 
JSU senior guard Daeshun Ruffin was named the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year while sophomore guard Dorian McMillian was named Second Team Preseason All-Confer­ence.  Ruffin, who started his collegiate career at Ole Miss, averaged 15.7 points and 4.2 assists per game last season for JSU.  Through two games this season, he is averaging a team-best 17.0 points (scored 22 points versus the Cardinals).
 
McMillian was the SWAC Freshman of the Year last season after averaging 10.2 points and 4.3 boards per contest.  He posted 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting in the last game at Louisville.
 
THE SERIES
LA Tech and JSU will face off for the 16th time on the hardwood.  The Bulldogs have won 12 straight over the Tigers, which is the longest active winning streak against an opponent.  The last meeting resulted in a 70-68 victory for the 'Dogs in 2021.  LA Tech has never lost to Jackson State at home, winning all 10 matchups.
 
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