Bulldogs Knock Out Vandals in TAC

RUSTON -- The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-17; 6-7 WAC) returned home to a 68-59 victory over the Idaho Vandals (3-22; 1-12 WAC) Wednesday night in the Thomas Assembly Center. "We did a lot of good in this game," Tech head coach Keith Richard said. "At the end of the day, we did enough good to get a much needed win." The Bulldogs took an initial 8-0 lead and never relinquished the lead, while amassing as much as a 22-point lead early in the second half. Tech finished the first half shooting 13-37 for a 35.1 percentage, while holding Idaho to a 22.2 shooting percentage on 6-of-27. "In the first half, we overwhelmed them defensively," Richard said, "and we only lead at halftime by 13 points. It couldve been a lot more if we couldve played better offense in the first half." In the second half, things flip-flopped for the Bulldogs. While still maintaining the lead, the offense began to catch up, but the defense slowed down, allowing seven three-pointers, which the Vandals used to threaten Techs double-digit lead for the remainder of the night. "The second half was the total opposite," Richard said. "We played better offense, but we didnt contest the three-point line. We didnt put up enough defense to win by 20 points, even though we got the win anyway." For the night, Tech shot 41.5 percent to Idahos 30.5. Senior Trey McDowell finished with 19 points, while seniors Chad McKenzie and Harry Disy both came away with double-doubles. McKenzie finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Disy had a career-high 13 points and a career-high 16 boards. The Bulldogs will return to action Saturday, Feb. 17, at Southeast Missouri, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Tip off is set for 6:30 p.m.