Louisiana Tech's Bulldogs Dominate with Teamwork and Individual Skills

Next Game: Rust College

On December 21, 2024, at 3 p.m., Louisiana Tech will face Rust College in their final non-conference game of the regular season. This game holds significance as it marks the end of a crucial stretch for the Bulldogs. The team will look to build on their recent success and continue their winning streak.

The victory over Grand Canyon was a hard-fought one. The Bulldogs found themselves in early deficits but managed to claw their way back and gain some separation. Led by Sean Newman Jr., the team showed great composure and determination in the final minutes. Newman Jr. scored a career-high 25 points and dished out nine assists, leading the team to victory. His performance was crucial in closing out the game on a 9-2 run.

First Half Struggles and Comebacks

After an opening bucket by Grand Canyon, the Bulldogs went on a 13-0 run, fueled by two three-pointers from Amaree Abram and one from Newman Jr. Daniel Batcho was dominant in the paint during this stretch. However, with Batcho picking up his second personal foul and the Lopes taking advantage, the game became a seesaw battle. Grand Canyon erased the deficit and took a four-point lead with 2:27 remaining before halftime. But the Bulldogs fought back, getting four more points on a made jumper by Kaden Cooper and two free throws by Newman Jr. to cut the lead to one at halftime.

In the second half, the Bulldogs continued to battle. They went on a 12-0 run, energized by back-to-back alley oops from Newman Jr. to Batcho. But Grand Canyon responded by going small with their lineup and finding their rhythm offensively. The Lopes made seven of eight field goals during a 4-plus minute stretch to trail 65-64 with 3:10 left. However, Newman Jr. anchored the Bulldogs the rest of the way, hitting an NBA-range three and a late shot clock drive for an off-balance layup. After a defense stop, he dished the ball off to Kaden Cooper for the two-handed flush. Two late free throws by Newman Jr. sealed the victory.

Player Performances

Despite foul trouble, Daniel Batcho finished with an average performance, scoring 19 points plus seven rebounds and three blocks. He became the eighth Bulldog in program history to eclipse 100 career blocks. Amaree Abram cracked double figures for the 10th time this season with 15 points and made multiple three-pointers. Sean Newman Jr. recorded a career-high 25 points and 9 assists, leading the country in assists. His performance was a key factor in the Bulldogs' victory. Kaden Cooper led the Bulldogs in rebounding with nine boards.

With this win, Louisiana Tech and Grand Canyon are now tied in the all-time series, 1-1. The Bulldogs improved to 10-2 on the season, their best start since 2015. They also registered their 176th home victory in their last 200 games in the TAC. The team shot over 50 percent from the field for the fourth straight game and scored 40 points in the paint for the third straight game.

Head coach Talvin Hester was proud of his team's performance. He emphasized the importance of sticking to the game plan and not fouling the opponents. He also praised Sean Newman Jr. for his outstanding play and said that he is no longer underrated. The coach was excited about the way the team played and looked forward to the upcoming game against Rust College.

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