Courtesy La Tech Communications
ESTERO, Fla. – Louisiana Tech needed yet another come-from-behind win at the Gulf Coast Showcase and they got it, coming back from 10 down to defeat Eastern Kentucky, 78-69, on Wednesday at Hertz Arena.
With only nine Bulldogs making the trip, LA Tech’s (7-0) physical and mental toughness was tested in every game at the multi-team event. First, the ‘Dogs battled back from 11 down to defeat SIU in overtime. Less than 24 hours later, the team overcame an 8-point deficit to win in the closing seconds versus Richmond.
Less than 24 hours after that, the Bulldogs trailed EKU (4-3) for almost the entire first half and were ultimately behind by eight with 13:36 remaining in the contest.
The Colonels held the lead in large part due to the three-pointer, draining 12 of them throughout the game. As for LA Tech, the three-ball was not falling.
Their first three-pointer did not come until 2:30 to go in the first half when Jordan Crawford buried his first one of the season. Devin Ree followed with one right before halftime to help slice what was then too an 8-point deficit down to one.
The same scenario played out trailing 43-51 as Al Green and Ree went back-to-back from beyond the arc. That was followed by a dump-off pass from Crawford to Will Allen to tie things up at 51-51.
Amaree Abram, who went scoreless in the first half, scored five straight points to give the ‘Dogs a 56-53 advantage (their largest lead since being up 3-0) at the midway point of the second half.
Helping LA Tech extend its lead was Kaden Cooper who also went scoreless in the first stanza. He had an offensive rebound and putback as well as a fastbreak layup to make it 64-56 in favor of the Bulldogs with 6:54 to go.
“They both joined the party in a big way in the second half,” Louisiana Tech head coach Talvin Hester said. “We were just dynamic in the second half. I think it was all sparked by us guarding them better.”
Crawford, Abram, and Cooper refused to let the Colonels back in it. Abram buried a late shot clock three-pointer. Another big offensive possession came when Crawford drove the middle of the lane and got the floater to go to give the ‘Dogs their largest lead of the game at 73-63 and 2:21 remaining.
EKU made things interesting late, connecting on back-to-back three-pointers to get to within four. After an offensive foul was called on Abram, the Colonels’ George Kimble III had an 18-foot jumper to make it a one-possession game, but Cooper came flying in for the block and grabbed the rebound. He then calmly made two free throws to put the game away.
LA Tech ended up shooting 53.6 percent from the field (went 16-of-27 in the second half). Daniel Batcho had his best game of the tournament, registering 19 points, eight boards, and two blocks. Abram finished with 14 points and a career-high eight rebounds. Green contributed 12 off the bench and Ree tallied 11 points.
EKU shot 40.0 percent from the field and were led in scoring by Kimble III who had 21 points. Devontae Blanton, the Colonels leading scorer, finished with 17 (had just six in the second half).
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