RUSTON – Louisiana Tech heads to the Lone Star State on Wednesday to face UTEP inside the Don Haskins Center in their second matchup of the season.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date/Time: Wednesday, Jan. 28 | 8 p.m. CT
Location: Don Haskins Center (El Paso, Texas)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: LA Tech Sports Network | LA Tech Athletics app
 
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (11-8, 4-4 CUSA)
LA Tech staged yet another comeback on Friday, erasing a 12-point deficit in the second half to defeat Kennesaw State 82- 76 inside the Thomas Assembly Center. The Bulldogs outscored the Owls 46-31 after the break, picking up their third straight come-from-behind win of at least 12 points. Prior to this season, the Bulldogs had a total of three comebacks of at least 12 points in the previous five seasons combined. Five of their last six games have been decided by six points or less.
 
It was one of LA Tech's best offensive performances of the season against Kennesaw State, shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from beyond the arc (season high). The Bulldogs made eight of their 16 three-point attempts. They also outscored the Owls, 32-24, in the paint, marking the 14th time this season LA Tech has scored 30+ paint points (have done so in five of the last six games).
 
LA Tech ranks second in the country in scoring defense, allow­ing just 61.3 points per game. They also rank fifth in the nation in field goal percentage defense (38.1). During conference play only, the Bulldogs rank second in both scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. LA Tech has held 16 of its 19 opponents to under their scoring average this season.
 
Scooter Williams came off the bench to pour in a season-high 28 points versus the Owls. It was the most points scored by any Bulldog in a game this season and the most scored by a bench player since 2013 (also the most of any bench player in CUSA). He became the fourth Bulldog with multiple 20+ scoring performances.
 
Despite missing the last 11 minutes of the game due to injury, DJ Dudley still scored 20 points against the Owls, extending his streak of consecutive games with 17+ points to five. In doing so, he became the first Bulldog this season with back-to-back games of 20+ points. Over the last five contests, he is averaging 19.6 points while shooting 50.0 percent from three (12-of-24).
 
Melian Martinez has become the primary five-man for the Bulldogs as of late, getting reinserted into the starting lineup the last three games. Over the last six games, the center is averaging 5.8 points while shooting 85.0 percent from the field (17-of-20). Defensively during this span, he is averaging 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per contest. Martinez has tallied three rejections in four of the six contests and currently ranks second in the league in blocks per game (2.14) during conference play.
 
ABOUT UTEP (7-13, 3-6 CUSA)
Almost at the halfway point of conference play, UTEP is in a three-way tie for ninth in the league standings. The Miners are amid a four-game homestand, having recently defeated FIU 83-77 followed by a 62-57 loss to Missouri State in the Don Haskins Center.
 
It was a tale of two halves, with the Miners coming out strong on the way to carrying a 31-21 advantage into the break against the Bears. UTEP was still in front by two with nine minutes remaining, but MSU ripped off eight straight to spring into a lead that it would nev­er relinquish.
 
Elijah Jones and Jamal West Jr. are the primary scorers for the Miners, averaging 14.1 and 13.5 points per game, respectively. Both players have started all 20 games this season and are shooting over 50 percent from the field. West had his best game of the season in UTEP's last win over FIU, scoring 28 points.
 
THE SERIES
LA Tech leads the all-time series versus UTEP, 22-15. The Bulldogs claimed a 75-63 victory over the Miners in the conference opener this season in Ruston.
 
LA Tech owns a 15-7 advantage since the two became CUSA foes, having won five of the last six. The Bulldogs are 6-6 versus the Miners in El Paso during this stretch.
 
SUPPORT LA TECH ATHLETICS
Championships require championship resources.  Fans can make a direct impact on the success of LA Tech Athletics through LTAC, Aillet Society, T-Club, and Young Alumni program as well as the CHAMP fund, a revenue-sharing initiative designed to directly support LA Tech Athletics through NIL and marketing opportunities for Bulldog and Lady Techster student-athletes.  Visit BuildTheLegacy.com today.  
 
BARK LOUDER
Our mission is to engage, develop, and advance the Louisiana Tech Athletics brand.  You can do that by spending time consuming our content and by investing your talents.  By barking louder with your time and talent, you can affect progress and brand advancement in a meaningful way.  Visit LATechSports.com/BarkLouder today.  You bark.  We bark.  Louder together.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in Bulldog Basketball, follow us on X (@LATechHoops), Instagram (@LATechHoops), and Facebook (LATechMBB).