SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Louisiana Tech outlasted Missouri State 79-78 in a thrilling double overtime victory Thursday night, earning a hard-fought road win in Conference USA play at Great Southern Bank Arena.
 
LA Tech (14-10, 7-6 CUSA) showcased grit and toughness down the stretch, overcoming as much as a 12-point deficit to ultimately force overtime with a contested bucket by AJ Bates, his first made field goal of the contest, to make it 68-68. 
 
The resilience continued in the first overtime period as MSU (13-11, 7-6 CUSA) took a 75-70 lead with two minutes to go.  However, Scooter Williams scored three of the last five points, including a layup through contact to make it 75-all at 23 seconds.  An important defensive stop, one of many, set up double overtime.
 
In double OT, LA Tech's toughness was on display yet again, allowing just one made field goal.  Meanwhile, DJ Dudley, who was held in check for most of the game, delivered two big jumpers.
 
Up 79-78, the Bears would have a chance to win it, but two missed tries gave way to a road victory for the Bulldogs.
 
LA Tech was led by Avery Thomas II, who recorded 19 points and nine rebounds.  Kaden Cooper added a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards, while Scooter Williams contributed 15 points and six rebounds.  Bates paced the offense with six assists.
 
As a team, the Bulldogs shot 43.7 percent (31-of-71) from the field, collected 42 rebounds, and tallied 12 assists, nine steals, and 12 blocks.  Meanwhile the defense was stellar, holding MSU to just 34.7 percent shooting (26-of-75).
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the win…
"This was a gritty, tough win against a tough team.  We fought and earned this one.  Hopefully we are turning the corner to be the team I hope we can be.  We are scoring the ball at a higher rate but still defending.  I am proud of this team, this staff, for continuing to fight."
 
On Will Allen's defense…
"I knew I had a guy on the bench that could fight [Michael Osei-Bonsu] like crazy.  I knew I had a guy on the bench in Will Allen that would lay it out there for his teammates.  You could not have asked for a better defensive performance from Will Allen."
 
On AJ Bates forcing overtime…
"I must give a lot of credit to AJ and DJ.  DJ sat on the bench and came in during the second overtime and got two buckets.  AJ was able to get the last one in regulation on a broken play.  Good teams find ways to win basketball games.  We found it by rebounding the last game.  We had some defense and scored the ball at a descent clip this game.  We made it a little harder on ourselves at the free throw line, but we pulled out the win."
 
NOTABLES

• LA Tech defeated Missouri State for the first time in the series.  The Bears had won the previous two meetings.
• LA Tech defeated its 22nd CUSA opponent with the win over Missouri State.  It is the third different foe the Bulldogs have beat for the first time in the league (Delaware, Kennesaw State).
• LA Tech improved to 2-0 this season in overtime games.  It was the first victory in multiple OTs since Dec. 4, 2015, versus Jackson State (first such victory on the road since Dec. 12, 2009, at Centenary).
• The Bulldogs overcame a 12-point deficit to defeat the Bears.  It is the fourth CUSA game that LA Tech has overcame at least a 12-point deficit to win (Delaware, Middle Tennessee, and Kennesaw State).
• LA Tech registered a season-high 12 blocks.  The 12 rejections tied for the third most in a single game in program history.
• The Bulldogs scored 40 paint points, the seventh time this season with 40+ in a single game.  It was the 17th time this season LA Tech has outscored its opponent in the paint (40-24).
• Avery Thomas II scored a season-high 19 points while also playing a career-high 48 minutes.  He tied his season high with four made three-pointers (third time).
• Kaden Cooper registered his fifth double-double of the season (second straight game) with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. 
• Scooter Williams scored in double figures for a sixth straight game, tallying 15 points.
• AJ Bates dished out six assists, marking the 15th time this season he has posted at least five dimes in a single game (has done so in six straight games).
• Will Allen played a career-high 27 minutes while also tallying a career-high four blocks.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will travel to Miami, Florida to face the FIU Panthers on Saturday, Feb. 14.  Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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