RUSTON – Senior Day is still two days away, but Will Allen delivered a moment to remember Thursday night.
 
The fifth-year senior, playing in his 116th game as a Bulldog, turned in a career performance that included a go-ahead putback with eight seconds remaining to lift Louisiana Tech to a 72-70 victory over Missouri State inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
In a contest that featured 12 ties and 14 lead changes, Allen secured an offensive rebound and laid it in to give LA Tech (16-12, 9-8 CUSA) the decisive two-point advantage.
 
The Bulldog defense did the rest, forcing Missouri State (13-15, 7-10 CUSA) to use clock before advancing past halfcourt and calling timeout. The Bears attempted an entry pass into the paint to try to tie the game, but Kaden Cooper got a fingertip on the ball, and it went out of bounds off the visitors.
 
Even though Scooter Williams missed two free throws after being fouled with 2.6 seconds left – part of a 15-for-24 night at the line for LA Tech – Missouri State's desperation heave at the buzzer was well off the mark as the Bulldogs secured their second narrow victory over the Bears this season.
 
LA Tech came out firing, racing to a 15-4 lead with eight early points from Jaylen Fenner. The Bears responded with a 15-3 run midway through the first half to grab a four-point edge with 5:52 remaining in the stanza.
 
Neither team led by more than four until the 9:34 mark of the second half when Missouri State converted at the free-throw line to go up 56-51. The Bears stretched their advantage to a game-high six at 60-54 after a three-pointer by Trey Williams Jr., which came following an offensive rebound off a missed free throw with 8:16 to play.
 
DJ Dudley answered with his third three-pointer of the night to cut the deficit in half. The junior later converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 2:34 remaining to pull the Bulldogs within one.
After Keith Palek III, who finished with a game-high 29 points, missed his first free throw of the evening (previously 7-for-7), Williams drove down the middle of the floor and finished a left-handed scoop layup to tie the game at 68-68.
 
A defensive stop gave LA Tech another opportunity, and Dudley capitalized, soaring in for a putback to give the Bulldogs a 70-68 lead. Palek III responded with a six-foot floater to even the score once more, setting the stage for Allen's final offensive rebound and putback, which proved to be the difference.
 
Dudley poured in a season-high 27 points, while Allen added a career-high 13 points to go along with eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Fenner also reached double figures with 12 points.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the win…
"We went down six with about eight minutes to go.  As a coach, I was not so much worried about the time on the clock but was wondering where we were going to get our offense from.  With Avery out and Scooter not being as fresh after missing the last couple games, we had to scratch and claw to get some baskets.  Will Allen and DJ Dudley stepped up and made some huge shots down the stretch."
 
On Will Allen's performance…
"If you close your eyes and imagine what you want a Bulldog to be to represent our program and University.  If you want a person that is about toughness and resilience.  It is Will Allen.  In an era where loyalty is rare, I will always have a special place in my heart for Will.  My favorite Will story is when we lose in the conference tournament, get upset as the two seed in the first round.  As a coach, I am hurt and distraught.  We get back from Huntsville and I come into the office the next morning, and out of the weight room comes Will Allen back to work.  So happy for him."
 
On where the offense came from with only 16 paint points…
"DJ was unbelievable from midrange, which is a crazy thing in this day and age of basketball.  We hit more threes than we usually hit.  And it really helped us.  We started fast which I think gave us confidence."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech and Missouri State are now tied in the all-time series, 2-2.  The Bulldogs swept the series versus the Bears this season.
• LA Tech won its ninth conference game of the season.  The Bulldogs have now won at least nine CUSA games in 11 of the 13 years they have been in the league.
• LA Tech improved to 14-2 at home this season.  The Bulldogs have now won 14+ home games in 10 of the last 14 seasons).
• The Bulldogs improved to 112-18 all-time in first meetings in Ruston.
• LA Tech is now 18-3 when playing a first-time CUSA opponent in the Thomas Assembly Center.
• LA Tech improved to 12-0 this season when scoring 70+ points.
• LA Tech is now 5-1 this season in games decided by three points or less.
• LA Tech was held to just 16 paint points, which tied its season low.  In both matchups, the Bulldogs came away with the victory (had 16 versus UTEP).
• The Bulldogs connected on nine three-pointers, tied for the third most in a single game this season.
• The contest featured 12 ties and 14 lead changes, both being the most in a LA Tech game this season.
• LA Tech secured 11 blocks, its second most in a single game this season.  It is tied for the fourth most all-time in a CUSA game for the Bulldogs. 
• DJ Dudley scored a season-high 27 points, going 10-of-19 from the field (tied his season high in made field goals).  It was his seventh 20+ scoring performance this season.
• Will Allen set career highs in points (13), three-pointers made (3), field goal attempts (8), and minutes played (32).  He also tied his career high with three steals.
• Jaylen Fenner scored in double figures for the fourth time this season, scoring 12 points.
• AJ Bates dished out five assists, marking the 18th time this season he has recorded at least five dimes which is tied for the 15th most in program history.  He now has 162 assists on the season, 11 shy of cracking the LA Tech top 10 list.
• Melian Martinez set a new career high with seven blocks, which is tied for the seven most rejections in a single game in program history.  It also tied for the third most ever by a Bulldog in a CUSA game.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will host FIU on Saturday, Feb. 28 in the last home game of the season for the Bulldogs.  Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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