Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech looks to put an end to a two-game losing skid on tonight when they play host to WKU in a nationally televised contest.
Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and the game can be heard on the LA Tech Sports Network on 107.5 FM with the pregame show starting at 7:30 p.m. The contest will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Fans are encouraged to wear white as part of the “White Out” game promotion. All tickets for the blue level are $5 and can be purchased online, at the LA Tech Ticket Office, or at the ticket booth prior to tipoff.
LA Tech (10-8, 3-4 C-USA) suffered just its second loss of the season this past Saturday, falling 81-74 to UAB. The Bulldogs had an eight-point lead with under five minutes to go, but the Blazers closed the game out on a 19-4 run. LA Tech got big offensive performances by Cobe Williams and Keaston Willis, but UAB dominated the glass to the tune of 21 offensive rebounds that they cashed in for 30 second-chance points.
The Big Three of Williams (19.1), Willis (14.4), and Isaiah Crawford (13.3) are averaging a combined 46.8 points per game during conference play. They have accounted for 66 percent of the Bulldogs scoring in C-USA action, combining for six 20-point scoring performances.
All three rank in the top 15 in scoring during league play only and have set season highs in scoring in the last two games — Williams with 27 against UAB, Willis with 23 against UAB, and Crawford with 25 versus North Texas.
WKU (11-7, 3-4 C-USA) began conference play with three straight losses, but followed that up with a three consecutive wins over UTSA, UAB, and FIU. However, that winning streak was broken this past Monday as the Hilltoppers fell at home to No. 24 Florida Atlantic, 76-62.
Dayvion McKnight is the star for the Hilltoppers. The First Team All-Conference USA selection from a year ago does it all, averaging a team-best 17.3 points as well as 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He has scored in double figures in 10 straight games, averaging 21.4 points per contest during that stretch (five 20-point games).
Another key contributor is center Jamarion Sharp. The reigning C-USA Defensive Player of the Year is at it again, leading the nation in blocks with 77 (average of 4.3 per game).
LA Tech and WKU will meet for the 41st time on Thursday with each team having won 20 games each. The Bulldogs tied up the series last season by winning both match-ups, each one coming down to the last possession. Recent LA Tech-WKU games have become instant classics. Each of the last six meetings have been decided by seven points or less.
