Louisiana Tech downs Jackson State 85-58
RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech ran its home winning streak to 11 on Tuesday night, as the Bulldogs cruised to an 85-58 victory over Jackson State inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
Louisiana Tech (5-2) got contributions from everywhere as eight players scored at least seven points.
Kalob Ledoux paced the team yet again in scoring with a smooth 17 points. His scoring teammate was Jace Bass, who provided an offensive spark off the bench with a career-high 16.
The Bulldogs got after it on defense as well, forcing a season-high 24 turnovers by JSU (0-3), the most by a Division I opponent since 2016.
It also marked the fourth straight game the Bulldogs have forced at least 15 turnovers.
“We've talked about really being active on defense and having teams feel our presence and I thought we did that tonight,” said Louisiana Tech head coach Eric Konkol. “On the offensive end, we wanted to see more sharing and see more paint touches. We had some good plays today in that regard.”
The game was tight midway through the first period as Louisiana Tech held just a 19-17 advantage over the Tigers.
However, Bass helped ignite a 14-0 run by the Bulldogs, scoring 10 straight points including back-to-back 3-pointers, a highlight-reel dunk and a pair of free throws.
“I'm really happy for Jace,” said Konkol. “He has been learning the system. He has earned more playing time by the way he is practicing and picking things up. You can tell he is getting more and more confident the way he is attacking the basket and shooting the ball.”
The Tigers ended up turning it over 16 times in the first half alone.
Meanwhile, nine different Bulldogs provided points in the period to help increase the team's lead to 47-27 at intermission.
The Bulldogs led by as many as 33 points in the second half after Ledoux's fast break 3-pointer and converted three-point play with 5:23 to go.
Ledoux and Bass were the lone Bulldogs to score in double figures, but there were quality minutes to be found throughout the lineup.
Andrew Gordon came off the bench to record nine points and a seasonnine rebounds.
Isaiah Crawford and JaColby Pemberton each posted nine points as well.
Exavian Christon added seven points and two steals. Cobe Williams dished out five assists and Kenneth Lofton Jr. had eight points and a career-high three steals.
“I was really happy with Andrew Gordon,” said Konkol.
“He is a guy that we are asking for great energy off the bench. And Exavian Christon played some really solid minutes, picking up steals and providing some great post feeds. He did things that don't necessarily hit the stat sheets. It was a total team effort for our guys. Everybody contributed in some way.”