RUSTON – A pivotal second-half surge proved to be the difference on Saturday afternoon as Louisiana Tech fell to FIU, 84-76, in the final game this season inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
 
With LA Tech (16-13, 9-9 CUSA) holding its largest lead of the contest at 59-52 with 12:13 to play, FIU (14-15, 7-11 CUSA) erupted for a decisive 20-5 run over the next five minutes to seize control. The Panthers knocked down five of their 13 three-pointers during that stretch, flipping a seven-point deficit into an eight-point advantage.
 
The Bulldogs scratched and clawed their way back, trimming the margin to four following a layup by DJ Dudley with 1:04 remaining. However, FIU went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the victory and complete the season sweep of the 'Dogs.
 
LA Tech struggled out of the gates and fell behind by 10 before Jaylen Fenner sparked the home side. The freshman poured in 19 of his career-high 25 points in the first half as the Bulldogs used a 15-1 run to turn the tide. Despite the surge, LA Tech entered halftime trailing 41-40.
 
A three-pointer by Kaden Cooper and a counted layup following a goaltending call helped the 'Dogs build their 59-52 cushion in the second half before FIU's three-point barrage shifted the momentum for good.
 
Turnovers and fouls proved costly for LA Tech, as its 19 turnovers led to 27 FIU points. The Bulldogs also committed a season-high 22 fouls, resulting in 21 made free throws for the Panthers.
 
In addition to Fenner's career effort, Dudley added 20 points, while Avery Thomas II returned to the lineup and contributed 10.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the loss…
"I thought we did not play with the right attitude.  We did not have much life and energy to us being in a dogfight.  We let FIU stay in the game.  We had a couple of times where we could have pulled away."
 
On FIU's big run in the second half…
"We made some subs and did not get the same intensity.  And some guys looked fatigued.  Some of it had to do with our offense and turning the ball over.  They got 27 points off turnovers.  When you have 19 turnovers in a game, which has rattled us here of late, it makes it hard to win."
 
On Jaylen Fenner's performance…
"He has a lot of Will Allen in him.  He is committed to working.  He is a competitor.  He was giving everything he had for us."
 
NOTABLES

• With the loss, LA Tech now leads the all-time series against FIU, 15-10. 
• LA Tech finished the season with a 14-3 home record.
• The Bulldogs scored 32 paint points (21st time this season with 30+ in a single game).
• LA Tech committed a season-high 22 fouls.
• LA Tech recorded nine steals.  The Bulldogs had tallied at least nine steals in six of their last seven games.
• Jaylen Fenner scored a career-high 25 points (previous career high was 15). 
• DJ Dudley registered 20 points, his eighth 20+ scoring performance of the season.  He has scored 20+ points in three of the last four games.
• Avery Thomas II notched double-digit points for the 12th time this season, scoring 10.
• AJ Bates dished out seven assists, marking the 19th time this season with at least five dimes.  He now has 169 on the season, just four shy of cracking the single-season top 10 at LA Tech.  He also now has 218 for his career, the 22nd most in program history.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will head to Lynchburg, Virginia to battle league-leader Liberty on Thursday, March 5.  Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
 
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