KENNESAW, Ga. – Louisiana Tech's game-tying three-pointer was off the mark as the Bulldogs dropped a 58-55 defensive slugfest to Kennesaw State on Saturday inside VyStar Arena.
 
LA Tech's (15-12, 8-8 CUSA) defense came to play, holding one of the top scoring offenses in the country, KSU (16-11, 8-8 CUSA), to just 35.1 percent shooting and its lowest scoring output at home this season.  The Bulldogs also controlled the glass, pulling down 12 more rebounds than the Owls, who came in ranked in the top 10 nationally in that category.
 
However, the combination of struggling to finish at the rim along with 18 turnovers resulted in a low-scoring night for the Bulldogs in the road loss.
 
LA Tech trailed for much of the first half.  That was until Kaden Cooper ignited for eight straight points, including a rim-rocking slam dunk and a three-pointer which helped give the 'Dogs a 25-23 halftime advantage.
 
The Owls quickly regained on a made triple of their own by RJ Johnson out of the break, but four straight made free throws by Will Allen and Jaylen Fenner plus a deep three from DJ Dudley gave LA Tech its largest lead of the contest at 32-26 with 17:40 remaining.
 
KSU would counter with its biggest scoring run of the game, going on an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead.  It was mostly a one-possession game either way for the remainder.  Down three with less than four minutes left, Avery Thomas II connected on a three-pointer from the wing.  Cooper added a free throw to give the Bulldogs a 51-50 edge with 3:18 to go.
 
The home team responded with three consecutive made jumpers, two of which came from beyond the arc.  Over the final 66 seconds, LA Tech misfired on four shot attempts including a try by AJ Bates with one second left to try to force the game into overtime.
 
Cooper recorded his sixth double-double of the season with a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds.  Bates added 12 points, five assists, and three steals.  Dudley provided 10 points and a season-high nine rebounds.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the loss…
"We should not have put ourselves in that position late because of the turnovers.  I thought we guarded great for about 37 minutes, but we broke down on a few occasions, got mentally fatigued.  We must be smarter down the stretch.  We must hold our defensive focus.  And we must take better care of the basketball."
 
On the team's defense…
"Kennesaw State is a tough team.  They can stop you with their size and physical toughness.  I thought we did a great job battling on the boards. But we had 18 turnovers.  We cannot give a team that can really score it that many more opportunities."
 
On Kaden Cooper…
"He was great tonight.  I thought all our guys fought.  We just must be able to clean up some things and be better down the stretch.  If we can keep this kind of fight, I think we have a chance to finish the season strong."
 
NOTABLES

• With the loss, LA Tech now trails in the all-time series with Kennesaw State, 1-3. 
• LA Tech won the battle of the boards, outrebounding KSU 44-32.  The Bulldogs have outrebounded 18 of their 27 opponents this season.  It was the 13th time this season they registered 40+ rebounds in a game.
• The Bulldogs recorded 10 steals (third time in the last five games).
• LA Tech tallied eight blocks, tied for the second most in a single game this season.  The Bulldogs have had at least eight rejections in five games.
• Kaden Cooper recorded his sixth double-double of the season with a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds.  It was his third double-double in the last five games.
• DJ Dudley just missed a double-double with 10 points and a season-high nine rebounds.
• AJ Bates dished out five assists, marking the 17th time this season with at least five dimes.    
• Melian Martinez posted a season-high five blocks (tied his career high).  It marked the ninth time this season the center has had at least three rejections in a game.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will be back home to host Missouri State on Thursday, Feb. 26.  Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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