MIAMI – Louisiana Tech was on the verge of collecting a road sweep, but the Bulldogs ran out of gas the latter part of the second half in a 77-64 loss to FIU on Saturday afternoon inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
 
LA Tech (14-11, 7-7 CUSA) was clicking on all cylinders through the first eight minutes of the second stanza, building a five-point lead over FIU (12-13, 5-9 CUSA).  However, the Panthers controlled the rest of the ball game on both ends, outscoring the Bulldogs 30-12 the rest of the way.
 
The 'Dogs dug themselves a hole right out of the game as the Panthers scored the first 11 points of the ball game.  LA Tech would claw back, tying the game at 26-26 and 28-28 before ultimately facing a 33-31 halftime.
 
It was the combination of AJ Bates and DJ Dudley which got LA Tech rolling at the start of the second half.  The tandem scored 16 of the team's first 21 points of the stanza to build that five-point advantage with 11:45 to play.
 
Things started to slowly unravel for the Bulldogs though because of turnovers and FIU's rebounding prowess, pulling down 40 boards that included 17 offensive which was turned into 17 second-chance points.  Meanwhile, LA Tech was limited to a season-low 24 boards.
 
Bates led the way in scoring for the Bulldogs with 14 points, followed by Dudley with 13 and Kaden Cooper with 10. 
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the loss…
"Rebounding was a major factor in the game.  We did not rebound.  We have been good on the glass both offensively and defensively, but we did not have it today.  The first 10 minutes of the second half we were really good.  But I do not think the ball moved enough.  When we got the ball in the paint, FIU did a good job putting pressure on the ball which led to a lot of turnovers.  It is frustrating when team's just take the ball from you.  We did not have it today."
 
On the start to the second half…
"We were fresh at the time.  I think we lost our minds when we got tired.  I started subbing a few guys, and we did not have the same level of intensity on the floor.  We took the six-point lead, but we started fouling.  It takes mental toughness to go on the road and win, and we could not do that today."
 
NOTABLES

• With the loss, LA Tech now leads the all-time series versus FIU, 15-9.  The Bulldogs had their six-game winning streak over the Panthers snapped.
• The Bulldogs were held to a season-low 24 rebounds.
• LA Tech registered 11 steals, its most in a conference game this season.  It marked just the fifth time this season the Bulldogs have had double-digit steals.  They are averaging 10.0 steals over the last three games.
• LA Tech outscored FIU in the paint, 36-34.  The Bulldogs have now scored 30+ paint points 19 times this season (nine of the last 10 games).
• AJ Bates led the Bulldogs in scoring for the seventh time this season, tallying 14 points.  He also dished out four assists, bringing his career total to 186, and tied his career high with four steals.   
• DJ Dudley scored in double figures for the 16th time this season, a team high.  He also dished out four assists, his most in a conference game this season.
• Kaden Cooper netted double-digit points for the third straight game with 10.  He also contributed with three steals, tying his season high.  He now has 74 career steals in his two seasons with the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT
LA Tech returns to the Thomas Assembly Center on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to host Jacksonville State.  Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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