Bulldogs Outmaneuver Miners in El Paso, Secure Narrow Victory at Don Haskins Center
In a closely contested game at the Don Haskins Center, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs edged out the UTEP Miners with a final score of 65-59. The Bulldogs' season record now stands at an impressive 1-0, while the Miners fall to 0-1 after this hard-fought battle.
The Bulldogs showcased their defensive skills by racking up an impressive seven blocks and eight steals during the game. This defensive prowess was complemented by their ability to capitalize on turnovers, scoring 10 points off Miner mistakes. On offense, Louisiana Tech's fast break execution was notable as they scored 15 fast break points.
Louisiana Tech's rebounding was dominant throughout the contest with a total of 45 rebounds compared to UTEP's 28. The Bulldogs' offensive efforts were bolstered by securing 13 offensive rebounds which led to critical second-chance opportunities resulting in 11 second-chance points. Defensively, they grabbed an overwhelming majority of rebounds with a count of 29 defensive boards.
Shooting accuracy played a key role in this matchup; Louisiana Tech shot at a solid rate from both inside and outside the arc. They made nearly half of their two-point attempts (48 percent) and maintained a respectable three-point shooting percentage (35 percent). Free throw shooting was also crucial for Louisiana Tech as they made eleven free throws at a rate of about two-thirds (65 percent).
The game saw numerous shifts in momentum with nine times tied and eighteen lead changes indicating how competitive it was from start to finish. Despite these fluctuations, Louisiana Tech managed to maintain composure and execute effectively when it mattered most.
Looking ahead, fans can catch the next action-packed game for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs as they face off against New Mexico State Aggies on February 24th at Pan American Center in Las Cruces, NM. This upcoming encounter is scheduled for an evening tip-off at approximately 8:00 PM Central Time and will be broadcasted on ESPN+ for those following from home or on-the-go.