RUSTON – AJ Bates recorded a career-high 26 points as Louisiana Tech never trailed in defeating Alcorn State, 83-58, on Saturday inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
Holding a slim 7-point lead at halftime, LA Tech (4-2) exploded for 46-second half points, making 20 of its 33 field goal attempts in the stanza in route to going 2-0 in its home multi-team event this week.
 
Despite the early tip, the Bulldogs came out with a ton of energy from the jump.  Bates scored the first four points then dished to Jaylen Fenner for a three-pointer from the wing to quickly go up 7-0.
 
Alcorn State (1-8) would respond with a 10-3 run to tie things up at 10-10, but a 6-0 mini run gave LA Tech the lead again, one it would never surrender. 
 
Clinging to a 37-30 edge at the midway point, the Bulldogs used the three-ball to start to pull away.  Kaden Cooper drilled one from the wing and then Bates later went back-to-back from downtown to force a Braves timeout with the 'Dogs leading, 52-38.
 
Alcorn State could never get the deficit down to single digits as LA Tech continued to pull away, making 16 of its last 24 field goal attempts in the final 13 minutes of the contest. 
 
Bates also added six assists and three boards to his stat line.  Fellow point guard DJ Dudley had another strong performance, tallying 10 points, five assists, three boards, and two steals.  The duo also had zero turnovers.
 
Joining them in double figures were Sir Issac Herron (season-high 12 points) and Kaden Cooper (10 points to go along with a team-high nine rebounds) as the Bulldogs shot 53.0 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from deep.
 
Alcorn State was limited to 38.6 percent shooting as a team with Tycen McDaniels being the lone Brave in double figures with 11.     
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the win…
"I was happy with our energy level.  I knew we had it in us, but we are still a learning team.  I was excited about the way we came out from the jump.  We had our highs and lows, which every basketball game does, but ultimately, we played with a lot of energy.  Happy we went 2-0 this Thanksgiving week."
 
On the performances of AJ Bates and DJ Dudley…
"I have been on them a lot.  It is a growing process with two guys.  I think they are growing and understanding.  Even though they both had unbelievable stats, there is still some stuff they can clean up.  Those two are going to get even better."
 
On Sir Issac Herron's help off the bench…
"I felt like he has been trying to find a role for a while now.  I think he is now starting to see it and the game is starting to slow down.  He has spent a lot a time in the film room recently, has turned his practice level up.  You can see it translating on the court."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series versus Alcorn State, 4-0.  The 25-point win was the second largest for the Bulldogs against the Braves.
• LA Tech shot 53.0 percent from the field, marking the third time this season the Bulldogs have eclipsed 50 percent shooting in a single game.
• The Bulldogs connected on eight three-pointers, the second most in a single game this season.
• The LA Tech bench recorded 41 points, the third time this season scoring 40+ in a game.  They have scored 20+ points in every contest this season. 
• LA Tech outrebounded Alcorn State, 42-33.  It marked the fifth straight game the Bulldogs have outrebounded their opponent.  Sixteen of those were offensive boards, the fourth time in the last five games with 15+.
• LA Tech tied its season high with eight rejections.
• For the fourth time in the last five contests, the Bulldogs held their opponent to less than 40 percent shooting from the field (Braves shot 38.6 percent).
• AJ Bates registered a career-high 26 points.  It marked his second career 20+ scoring performance.  His point total and 10 made field goals are the most by a Bulldog this season.  He also set a new career high with four made three-pointers.
• Sir Issac Herron registered a season-high 12 points, going 6-of-7 from the field.  It marked the second straight game of shooting at least 80 percent from the field (went 5-for-6 against Indiana State).  He also pulled down a season-high six rebounds.
• DJ Dudley scored in double figures for a second straight game with 10 points.  He also dished out a season-high five assists.
• Kaden Cooper tallied 10 points, the fourth time in the last five games scoring in double figures.  He also paced the Bulldogs on the boards with nine rebounds (third time this season anchoring the team in rebounding).  He also tied his career high with three blocks.

UP NEXT
LA Tech hits the road to face Georgia Southern on Wednesday, Dec. 3.  Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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