Louisiana Tech secured a 79-78 double overtime win against Missouri State on Thursday night at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, Missouri. The Bulldogs improved their Conference USA record to 7-6 and now hold an overall record of 14-10.
LA Tech overcame a 12-point deficit during the game. AJ Bates tied the score at 68-68 with his first field goal, forcing overtime. In the first overtime period, Missouri State led by five points with two minutes remaining, but Scooter Williams scored three of the final five points for LA Tech to tie it again at 75-all. The Bulldogs’ defense then held firm to send the contest into double overtime.
During the second extra period, LA Tech allowed only one field goal from Missouri State. DJ Dudley contributed two important jump shots, helping secure the victory after Missouri State missed two potential game-winning attempts in the closing seconds.
Avery Thomas II led Louisiana Tech with 19 points and nine rebounds while playing a career-high 48 minutes. Kaden Cooper recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Scooter Williams added 15 points and six rebounds, and Bates provided six assists.
The Bulldogs shot nearly 44 percent from the field (31-of-71), grabbed 42 rebounds, had 12 assists, nine steals, and registered a season-high 12 blocks—tying for third most in program history for blocks in a single game. Their defense limited Missouri State to under 35 percent shooting (26-of-75).
Head coach Talvin Hester commented on his team’s performance: “This was a gritty, tough win against a tough team. We fought and earned this one. Hopefully we are turning the corner to be the team I hope we can be. We are scoring the ball at a higher rate but still defending. I am proud of this team, this staff, for continuing to fight.”
Hester also praised Will Allen’s defensive effort: “I knew I had a guy on the bench that could fight [Michael Osei-Bonsu] like crazy. I knew I had a guy on the bench in Will Allen that would lay it out there for his teammates. You could not have asked for a better defensive performance from Will Allen.”
He credited both AJ Bates and DJ Dudley for key plays late: “I must give a lot of credit to AJ and DJ. DJ sat on the bench and came in during the second overtime and got two buckets. AJ was able to get the last one in regulation on a broken play. Good teams find ways to win basketball games. We found it by rebounding the last game. We had some defense and scored the ball at a descent clip this game. We made it a little harder on ourselves at the free throw line, but we pulled out the win.”
With this result, Louisiana Tech defeated Missouri State for their first time ever; previously they lost both meetings between these programs since joining Conference USA.
The Bulldogs have now beaten three different league opponents—Delaware, Kennesaw State, and Missouri State—for their first time as CUSA members.
This marks LA Tech’s second overtime victory this season; it is also their first multi-overtime road win since December 2009.
Avery Thomas II set his season high with four three-pointers made (third time) while playing extended minutes.
Kaden Cooper posted back-to-back double-doubles over consecutive games.
Scooter Williams has now scored in double figures across six straight contests.
AJ Bates has distributed at least five assists in six consecutive games.
Will Allen played career-high minutes off LA Tech’s bench along with four blocks—a personal best.
Louisiana Tech will next travel to Miami to face FIU Panthers on Saturday, February 14 at 1 p.m., broadcasted live on ESPN+.
