HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Behind another standout performance from AJ Bates and a poised finish in the closing minutes, Louisiana Tech punched its ticket to the title game of the 2026 Air National Guard Conference USA Men's Basketball Championship with a hard-fought 69-66 semifinal victory over Missouri State on Friday inside VBC Propst Arena.
 
In a game that featured multiple momentum swings, No. 5 seed LA Tech (20-13) leaned on toughness and composure down the stretch to remain undefeated in March, claiming its fourth consecutive victory.
 
Bates once again led the charge offensively, pouring in a game-high 27 points while delivering several key plays late to help the Bulldogs fend off No. 9 seed Missouri State (16-18).
 
Offense was tough to come by for both teams early. With the Bulldogs trailing 15-10 with eight minutes to go in the first half, the offense started to gain steam as LA Tech rattled off a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead.
 
The 'Dogs ultimately made 10 of their final 11 field goals in the first stanza but still held just a 30-27 advantage over the Bears, who had previously knocked out top-seeded Liberty.
 
The contest featured five lead changes and six ties, three of which came early in the second half. Another 7-0 mini-run gave the Bulldogs some breathing room, capped by an old-fashioned three-point play by Bates.
 
Clinging to a one-point lead with 8:55 remaining, Kaden Cooper buried a corner three-pointer. That was followed by two alley-oops from Bates to Sir Issac Herron, giving LA Tech its largest lead of the game at 57-49 with 7:15 to play.
 
Missouri State kept within striking distance down the stretch, trimming the deficit to one following a Trey Williams Jr. three-pointer that made it 65-64 with 42 seconds remaining.
 
But the Bulldogs stayed calm under pressure. Looking to drain the clock, Bates drove right and floated a shot off the glass. The ball bounced off the rim, but Avery Thomas II flew in for the tip-in to make it 67-64.
 
Needing a three to tie, the Bears' Michael Osei-Bonsu was fouled with 3.7 seconds remaining. The forward, who scored a team-high 19 points, made both free throws. However, Cooper answered by calmly sinking two free throws of his own to push the lead back to three.
 
MSU had one more attempt to tie the game, but its missile pass to midcourt was deflected and ended up in the hands of Thomas II to send the Bulldogs into the championship game.
 
Bates played all 40 minutes yet again, finishing with six assists to go with his 27 points. DJ Dudley added 10 points, while Thomas II chipped in seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
QUOTABLES
Head coach Talvin Hester
 
On the win…
"This team has come a long, long way.  This team keeps fighting.  I have kept saying that I want to be playing our best ball by March because we have done an unbelievable job of just continuing to hit the rock.  Right now, we just keep hitting the rock.  I am proud of these guys."
 
Guard AJ Bates
On keeping your poise down the stretch…
 
"It comes from confidence in our work.  Everyday, coach pushes us.  We hold each other accountable.  The standard is the standard.  Today, we had guys step up big times.  It takes all of us for 40 minutes."
 
Guard DJ Dudley
On keeping your poise down the stretch…
 
"I feel like early on this season, we were stubborn as a team.  It took us a while to figure out what winning is all about.  We came together as a team in March.  We are playing together on defense and offense."
 
NOTABLES

• With the win, LA Tech advances to the CUSA Tournament title game for the first time since 2022 (third time overall).  The Bulldogs improved to 13-11 all-time in CUSA Tournament games.
• With the win, LA Tech now leads the all-time series over Missouri State, 3-2.  The Bulldogs swept all three games versus the Bears this season, winning by a combined six points.
• LA Tech registered its 20th victory of the season.  This marks the 12th time in the last 14 seasons that the Bulldogs have recorded 20+ wins (31st overall).
• LA Tech won its fourth straight game and six of its last eight.
• This is the third straight season Talvin Hester has led the Bulldogs to 20+ wins, tied for the third most by a LA Tech head coach in program history.  He is the fourth to do it in three consecutive seasons.
• LA Tech outrebounded MSU, 34-29.  The Bulldogs have now outrebounded 22 of their 32 opponents this season.
• The Bulldogs scored 32 points in the paint, marking the 24th time this season with 30+ paint points.
• AJ Bates scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting.  It is the third most points scored by a Bulldog ever in a CUSA Tournament game.  He has now scored 27+ points in three of the last four games. 
• DJ Dudley scored 10 points, reaching double figures for a team-leading 23rd time.
• Avery Thomas II anchored the Bulldogs in rebounding with 12 boards.  It is the seventh time this season he has pulled down double-digit rebounds.
• AJ Bates dished out six assists, giving him 194 for the season (eighth most in program history) and 243 for his Bulldog career (18th most in program history).  It marked the 22nd time this season he has recorded at least five dimes in a single game.
• Avery Thomas II registered three steals for a second straight game.

UP NEXT
LA Tech will take on the winner of Sam Houston and Kennesaw State on Saturday night in the CUSA Championship game.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.
 
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