Courtesy of LA Tech Athletics Communications
Louisiana Tech begins a three-game road stretch tonight versus UTEP inside the Don Haskins Center. The Bulldogs will play three road games over the next seven days.
LA Tech (18-8, 8-3) remains tied for first in the CUSA standings after sweeping both of its league home games this past week, including a 75-68 victory over FIU on Saturday.
It was a big first half that was the difference for the Bulldogs as they built a 43-26 lead after shooting 60.9 percent from the field. LA Tech, playing its ninth different starting lineup due to injuries, held FIU to 36.7 percent shooting for the game, marking the 16th time this season of holding an opponent under 40 (tied for the most in the country).
The Bulldogs currently rank seventh in the country in field goal percentage defense, allowing teams to shoot just 38.9 percent from the field. They also continue to rank top 50 in rebounds per game (38.85) and rebounding margin (5.8) after outrebounding the Panthers, 39-29.
Isaiah Crawford led the team in scoring for a 10th time this season, netting a game-high 24 points after going 7-of-8 from the field, 3-of-3 from three, and 7-of-8 from the foul line. It marked his seventh 20+ scoring performance of the season. He is currently averaging 16.0 points per game while shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from beyond the arc.
Crawford also had another stellar defensive output, registering four blocks and two steals against FIU. The forward has 46 blocks and 59 steals this season and ranks 17th in the country in steals per game (2.27) and 52nd in blocks per game (1.77).
Tahlik Chavez recorded 22 points versus the Panthers, his sixth game of 20+ points. He went 3-of-4 from behind the arc and is now shooting a 42.1 percent from downtown. He is averaging 13.3 points per game (15.9 points during league play).
UTEP (13-13, 4-7) is currently tied for seventh in the CUSA standings, having lost both games on the road this past week at WKU and Middle Tennessee. The Miners were on the verge of claiming their first road win of the season but ended up falling in double overtime to the Blue Raiders, 69-90.
UTEP has been tough to beat in the Don Haskins Center though, owning a 12-3 record while winning four of their five league games at home.
Offensively, the Miners like to get up and down the floor as they rank second in the country in fastbreak points (17.08). They also get to the free throw line a ton, ranking in the top 20 in the nation in both free throw attempts per game (25.7) and free throws made per game (17.7).
Tae Hardy is the top scorer for UTEP averaging 15.7 points per game for the season and 17.7 points per game during conference action, which is second most in CUSA. He has made 55 three-pointers while shooting 37.2 percent from three-point range.
Defensively, UTEP is the No. 1 team in the country at generating steals and forcing turnovers. The Miners average 11.7 steals per game and force 17.27 turnovers per contest. In league play, they have far and away the most steals with 140 (average of 12.7 per game) and rank second in turnover margin at +4.82.
LA Tech leads the all-time series versus UTEP, 19-14. The Bulldogs have won two straight in the series, including a 68-54 victory over the Miners earlier this season in Ruston.
The two programs faced off six times before becoming conference opponents in the WAC (2001-05). They reunited as league foes in 2013 when LA Tech joined CUSA. Since becoming CUSA opponents, the ‘Dogs own a 12-6 advantage.
