Sharping shooting costs 'Dogs men

Louisiana Tech shoots 50 percent compared to Fresno State's 39.7 percent in the Bulldogs' fourth Western Athletic Conference loss

By MAGGIE THACH

It was exactly how it was supposed to be — a teetering score that in one possession had Louisiana Tech up and the other, Fresno State with the upper hand.

What else would be expected out of two similarly athletic teams fighting for position in a tight Western Athletic Conference race? Unfortunately for Fresno State (12-7, 6-4) , Louisiana Tech’s 79-72 win was sweet revenge for a team that lost 60-58 in the teams’ first meeting.

“It’s hard to win when two of your better players don’t play as well as they need to,” Bulldogs coach Ray Lopes said. “We had two of our top players have off nights tonight.”

Lopes was referring to senior Mustafa Al-Sayyad, who took just five shots, and sophomore Ja’Vance Coleman, who was 4 for 21 shooting.

Enjoying a four-game winning streak, Louisiana Tech (11-8, 6-4) started the game off strong, scoring from high-percentage shots and converting on second-chance baskets. Five minutes into the game, Louisiana Tech scored four straight to take a 12-7 lead.

But Fresno State would never let the lead get into double digits. Every time Louisiana Tech started to build on its lead, Fresno State found a way to stay alive.

During a two-possession span with 13 minutes left in the first half, senior Dreike Bouldin and converted a three-point play. On the next possession, Bouldin came down and made a 3-pointer.

“Dreike wanted it tonight,” said teammate Donovan Morris, who had 10 points. “He played hard, but as a team, we only played with intensity for a short time in spurts.”

Although Louisiana Tech shot 46.7 percent from the field in the first half, compared to Fresno State’s 41.4 percent, Fresno State wouldn’t let the half end without showing some signs of life.

With the Bulldogs down by eight, freshman Hector Hernandez recorded his first points when he connected on a 3-pointer with 40 seconds left.

Fresno State’s defense in the next 40 seconds stymied Louisiana Tech and resulted in a steal by Coleman. Ending the half in dramatic fashion, Kevin Bell made a fast-break lay-up that rimmed around a few times and went in, cutting Louisiana Tech’s lead to three. Momentum was on the Bulldogs’ side going into the second half.

Al-Sayyad opened the second half with a lay-up off an assist from Bell. Moments later, Coleman cut the lead to one with a three-point play. Fresno State was 12 for 15 from the free throw line.

Morris’ bucket with 18:54 left gave Fresno State the lead.

But the Bulldogs would not hold the lead for long. Louisiana Tech went on its own scoring spurt, marking its biggest lead at eight. In the next 6:33, Louisiana Tech went on a 21-12 run.

Again, Bouldin would sub in with some much-needed energy. With four minutes left in the second half, Bouldin laid in a missed lay-up by Coleman. On the other end, Bouldin came up with the steal, dribbled the length of the court, made a basket and got fouled. He missed the free throw but cut Tech’s lead to 69-67.

Though Tech was in foul trouble most of the game with Wayne Powell picking up his fourth three minutes into the half and Michael Wilds fouling out with 7:19 left, it kept its composure down the stretch, hitting its next three shots and extending the lead to six, while Fresno State took ill-advised shots that just couldn’t find the bottom of the net.

In the end, the teetering score ended in Louisiana Tech’s favor. The victory extended Tech’s winning streak to five, the longest current streak in the conference.

Fresno State and Louisiana Tech have identical 6-4 records in the WAC. With Rice winning over Boise State on Thursday, Rice, Fresno State and Louisiana Tech are all in a logjam for third place.

“It’s about staying fresh and coming ready to play,” Lopes said. “Having a chance to tie for second, I’m not sure I understand that.”