LA Tech defeats UTEP for 20th win of the season for the 11th time in 13 years

RUSTON, LA (KTAL/KMSS) — Louisiana Tech put on a shooting clinic in its final game of the regular season, knocking down 12 three-pointers in route to a 76-58 victory over UTEP on Saturday afternoon inside the Thomas Assembly Center.

The win meant a lot of things for LA Tech (20-11, 9-9 CUSA).  It was win No. 20, a milestone the program has now reached in 11 of the last 13 seasons.  It was a bounce-back win following a disappointing loss to New Mexico State two days ago.  And it was a win that solidified a No. 6 seed and first-round bye in the CUSA Tournament.

It was the three-ball that helped LA Tech gain some separation early in the first half as Al Green buried his first two attempts and then Sean Newman Jr. drilled a triple to give the ‘Dogs a 22-14 advantage.

Then it was Sean Elkinton who came off the bench and went back-to-back from downtown.  He would tack on two free throws to account for eight straight points as LA Tech built a 34-22 halftime lead over UTEP (17-14, 7-11 CUSA).

Along with the five first-half three-pointers was the stifling defense by the Bulldogs, limiting the Miners to just 28.1 percent shooting in the stanza and just one three-pointer out of 13 attempts.

LA Tech kept its foot on the gas to start the second half, opening the stanza on a 12-2 run that was anchored in large part by Sean Newman Jr. and Amaree Abram.  One of the nation’s top assist leaders dished out two of his five dimes during the stretch and added a jumper in the paint while Abram drilled two triples to help make it a 46-26 lead with 15:16 to play in the home finale.
 
The Miners meanwhile could just get to the foul line for the most part, making 15 second-half free throws.  While UTEP was getting free throws, LA Tech was getting threes to put the Miners away.  Green hit four more from beyond the arc in route to a game-high 20 points.
 
As a team, LA Tech shot 44.4 percent from the field (24-54) and a staggering 70.6 percent from three-point range (12-17).  Abram and Newman Jr. joined Green in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively. 
 
UTEP finished the contest at 31.7 percent shooting (19-60) and were just 2-of-20 from deep.  KJ Thomas came off the bench to score a team-high 12 points.  

STORY BY LOUISIANA TECH ATHLETICS