Louisiana Tech will face Missouri State on Thursday night in a Conference USA matchup, with the game broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. The Bulldogs travel to Springfield, Missouri, to play at Great Southern Bank Arena.
LA Tech comes into the contest with a 13-10 overall record and a 6-6 mark in conference play. Their most recent win was an 87-78 victory over Sam Houston, which also featured the retirement of Hall of Famer Paul Millsap’s No. 24 jersey. In that game, Louisiana Tech outscored Sam Houston 48-16 in paint points and had a 46-30 rebounding advantage, ending the Bearkats’ seven-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs have shown strength in rebounding throughout the season, having outrebounded opponents in 16 of their 23 games so far. They rank among the top teams nationally for rebounds per game (34th), offensive rebounds per game (18th), and rebounding margin (27th).
Against Sam Houston, LA Tech recorded 18 offensive rebounds—their second consecutive game with at least that many—and scored 44 points off the bench. AJ Bates led all scorers with 21 points and contributed six assists. Kaden Cooper came off the bench after not playing for five games to post a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds. Avery Thomas II also recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.
Scooter Williams continued his streak of scoring in double figures for five straight games, averaging over 18 points during this period while shooting nearly fifty percent from both field and three-point range. Sir Issac Herron added a career-high eighteen points from the bench.
Missouri State holds an identical overall record (13-10) but is one spot ahead in CUSA standings at 7-5. This is their first season competing in Conference USA. The Bears started strong by winning four of their first five league games but have lost two of their last three contests, including a close loss to Liberty where they nearly erased a twenty-point deficit late in the second half.
Missouri State averages more than twenty-four free throw attempts per game—among the highest rates nationally—and has reached that mark ten times during conference play this year.
The Bears’ offense relies heavily on Keith Palek III (averaging over eighteen points per game), Michael Osei-Bonsu (14.3 ppg), and Kobi Williams (14 ppg). Together they account for more than half of Missouri State’s total scoring output this season.
Historically, LA Tech has yet to defeat Missouri State; MSU won both previous meetings between these programs—in tournament settings during the late nineties and again in postseason play in 2010.
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