Logan, UT (Sports Network) - Brandon Gibson led the way with 20 points as the
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs edged the Utah State Aggies, 51-48, in Western
Athletic Conference play at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
For the Bulldogs (18-3, 9-0 WAC), Raheem Appleby added 10 points and Kenneth
Smith handed out 10 assists.
Jarred Shaw posted a double-double to lead the Aggies (14-5, 5-4), scoring a
game-high 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Spencer Butterfield added a
double-double of this own, finishing with 16 points and a game-high 15
rebounds.
The Bulldogs shot 46.7 percent from the field, including a healthy 7-of-15
from beyond the 3-point arc, as they took a commanding, 35-22, lead at
halftime. They held the Aggies to just 29.2 percent shooting from the field
and 3-of-8 from 3-point distance.
In the second half, the Aggies continued to struggle from the field, shooting
just 25.8 percent and missing all six of their 3-point tries in the half. The
Bulldogs were even worse from the field, shooting a woeful 18.5 percent,
including 2-of-12 from 3-point distance. After trailing by as many as 11
early in the half, the Aggies mounted a comeback, using an 8-0 run late in the
contest to tie the game at 48-48 with 1:42 to play. Sixteen seconds later,
Appleby nailed a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs back on top for good, as the
Aggies stayed perfect in conference play.
The Aggies dominated the boards, outrebounding the Bulldogs, 50-31. Utah
State had an 18-8 edge on second chance points as well.
GAME NOTES:
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