Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Louisiana Tech is back home tonight to face New Mexico State in the annual Red Out game inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN+.
New Mexico State leads the all-time series over LA Tech, 18-6. The Aggies have dominated the series, winning 16 of the first 20 matchups before the Bulldogs swept the league series in 2023-24. Wednesday will be the lone meeting between the two teams this season.
LA Tech and NM State have been in three different conferences together (Sun Belt Conference (2000-01), Western Athletic Conference (2005-12), and Conference USA (2023-present).
LA Tech’s solid start unraveled after halftime as extended scoring runs and free-throw disparity fueled an 83-67 setback to Sam Houston this past Saturday. It was nip-and-tuck through the first 20 minutes, a stanza that included five ties and four lead changes which led to a 34-32 edge for the Bearkats. However, the second half was a different story as the Bulldogs were outscored, 49-35.
The Bulldogs (12-9, 5-5), who are currently tied for sixth in the league standings, pulled down 15 offensive rebounds versus the Bearkats, marking the ninth time this season they have had 15+ in a single game. LA Tech has registered double-digit offensive boards in 11 of the last 13 contests (four straight). Their average of 12.20 offensive rebounds per game during conference play.
New Mexico State (10-11, 3-8) started off hot this season, winning its first six games including double-digit victories against UC Irvine and Georgia State in the Cancun Challenge.
The Aggies, who were picked to finish third in the CUSA preseason poll, split its first four conference games, which included a pair of home victories over Sam Houston and WKU. However, NM State has since dropped six of their last seven games, including their last four. Most recently, they suffered their worst loss of the season, falling 76-53 at Kennesaw State.
NM State, which is in 11th in the conference standings, is in the midst of a three-game road swing (five of seven games in February are away from home) as they will make the short trek to El Paso, Texas to face rival UTEP following their match-up versus LA Tech in Ruston.
Jemel Jones, a transfer from Cal State Bakersfield and CUSA All-Preseason Team selection, is the top scorer for the Aggies averaging 15.8 points per game (15.2 in league play). He excels at getting to the foul line, a place where he has made 83 of his 99 free throw attempts.
