RUSTON – Louisiana Tech will wrap up its three-game road swing on Saturday when the Bulldogs play at Sam Houston.
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Saturday, March 1 | 4:30 p.m. CT
Location: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (Huntsville, Texas)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (18-10, 7-8 CUSA)
After pulling out a victory at Middle Tennessee, LA Tech was 5.4 seconds away from getting a road sweep last week, but a last-second layup by WKU resulted in a heartbreaking 64-63 loss for the Bulldogs in Bowling Green. The matchup was back and forth much of the game, featuring 10 ties and 16 lead changes.
It was another second-half surge that allowed LA Tech the chance to defeat WKU. The Bulldogs shot 57.9 percent from the field in the second stanza while scoring 44 points. They have now scored 40+ points in the second half 14 times this season as opposed to doing so just six times in the first half. The 'Dogs are shooting 49.0 percent from the field in the second half as well.
Another reason why the Bulldogs nearly pulled off the win over the Hilltoppers was their shooting at the foul line. LA Tech made 23 of its 25 free throw attempts (92.0 percent), the best shooting percentage from the charity stripe in at least 35 years (minimum 25 attempts). The team currently ranks second in CUSA and 56th in the country in free throw percentage at 75.6, which would set a new LA Tech program record for a single season (record is 74.2 percent set back in 1976-77).
Amaree Abram scored a team-high 21 points versus the Hilltoppers, his third 20+ scoring performance of the season. He knocked down four three-pointers in the process, giving him a team-high 60 made triples on the season which is the eighth most in CUSA. Over his last seven games, he is averaging 14.1 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from three. Abram is also averaging 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game during this stretch.
Sean Newman Jr. dished out a game-high five assists versus WKU, giving him 228 for the season which ranks third in the country and is the third most in a single season in program history. His 8.1 assists per game also ranks third in the nation. He has registered 5+ assists in 26 of the 28 games played this season. He needs just three more assists to crack the top eight in CUSA history. He also sank both free throws against the Hilltoppers, bringing his free throw percentage in league play to 94.0 percent (47-of-50), the best in the conference.
Daniel Batcho reached double-digit points for the 25th time this season, tallying 10 points at WKU. He continues to rank second in the country in field goal percentage (68.2), a mark that would currently set a new program record and be the third best in CUSA history. He also had two blocks, giving him multiple rejections for the 16th time this season. He has 59 total blocks, which ranks 18th in the nation.
AJ Bates came off the bench to score 14 points, his third game this season in double figures. The freshman's role has continued to grow throughout the season. Case in point, over the last 10 games he is averaging 23.5 minutes (tied for the fourth most on the team) while averaging 5.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He is also shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three during this span.
ABOUT SAM HOUSTON (11-17, 4-11 CUSA)
After losing 10 of its first 11 conference games, Sam Houston reeled off three straight victories against Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, and WKU. That streak came to an end though this past Saturday with a 74-70 loss at Middle Tennessee.
All 11 of Sam Houston's conference losses have been by single digits, including three in overtime (average conference loss has been by 5.5 points). The Bearkats will close out the regular season with three straight games at home, a place where they are 7-3 overall this season and 3-3 in CUSA play.
Sam Houston is the best three-point shooting team in CUSA and the numbers prove it. The Bearkats rank sixth in the country this season in three-point percentage (39.2). That percentage has not tailed off much in conference play where are shooting a league-best 38.3 percent.
The Bearkats have made 10+ three-pointers in 15 of their 28 games played. They are currently averaging 8.8 three-pointers made per game, having made 23 triples in their recent road swing at WKU and Middle Tennessee.
Lamar Wilkerson continues to be one of the top scoring threats in CUSA, averaging 19.6 points per game. That average has risen a ticket during league play as the shooting guard is averaging 19.9 points, second most in the conference.
The First Team All-CUSA selection a season ago has scored 20+ points 13 times this season (averaging 23.0 points over his last four games). He is arguably one of the best shooters in the country, ranking fifth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (44.8). He has made 94 total triples, 11th most in the country.
THE SERIES
LA Tech leads the all-time series versus Sam Houston, 6-4. The two programs first played a home-and-home series during the 1946-47 season and did not meet again until 1967 in the Pan American Holiday Classic played in Edinburg, Texas. Two more home-and-home series took place (1989-90 and 2018-19) before the Bearkats joined Conference USA last season.
LA Tech won five of the first six matchups, but Sam Houston claimed three straight prior to the Bulldogs 66-61 overtime win earlier this season in Ruston. The last five matchups between the Bulldogs and Bearkats have been decided by seven points or less.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Basketball, follow us on X (
@LATechHoops), Instagram (
@LATechHoops), and Facebook (
LATechMBB).
