Texas Christian was defeated by Louisiana Tech by a total score of 96-55 on Wednesday night inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court. This victory was a significant victory for Louisiana Tech, which had been on a losing streak of three games.
During the final non-conference game of the regular season, LA Tech (10-5) maintained its perfect record at home, where it had not yet suffered a loss. The Bulldogs shot a season-high 60.3 percent from the floor, with the majority of their production coming from the front court. Daniel Batcho scored a game-high 22 points, Isaiah Crawford tallied 18 points, and Dravon Mangum scored a season-high 15 points.
All three of them were very active on the defensive end, as the Dogs had 13 thefts and 11 blocks while limiting Dallas Christian (4-11) to 35.6 percent shooting. In addition, the Dogs were able to keep Dallas Christian from scoring.
Crawford was responsible for three of them steals and is also responsible for three of those blocks. The fifth-year senior also recorded a team-high seven rebounds, which placed him in a category all his own in the annals of the program’s history. He became the first Bulldog to amass 1,000 points, 500 boards, 200 assists, 100 steals, and 50 blocks.
Batcho, who is his front court running partner, was the one who got LA Tech off to a good start against DCC. He scored 14 of the Bulldogs’ first 19 points, which gave the home team a 19-5 advantage.
With 12 minutes and 42 seconds remaining in the first half, the Crusaders went on a 9-0 run, bringing their deficit down to five points. This was the best stretch of basketball that the Crusaders had ever experienced.
Nevertheless, LA Tech replied by outscoring DCC by a score of 34-9 to bring the first stanza to a close. Mangum’s late burst of eight consecutive points, which included a three-pointer and a dunk (in addition to the foul), contributed to the Bulldogs’ holding a 53-23 lead at the halftime break. This was a significant factor in the outcome.
After dominating the paint, where they outscored the Crusaders by a score of 54-24, and by getting out in transition with 27 fastbreak points, the ‘Dogs extended their lead to as much as 42 points. This was mostly accomplished by dominating the paint.
As the floor generals, Sean Newman Jr. and Jordan Crawford, who was making his first start of the season, combined for 15 assists. Crawford was the general of the floor. In addition, Newman Jr. contributed 13 points, making him the fourth player for LA Tech to score in the double-digits.
There was just one player on the DCC team who scored in double figures, and that player was Joseph Gipson, who scored.
