Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Wednesday, January 14
Ruston, LA
6:30 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
10-7,4-2CUSA
58
at
59
LA Tech
10-7,3-3CUSA
1
2
F
Middle Tenn.
40
18
58
Louisiana Tech
21
38
59
Middle Tennessee falls to LA Tech on the road in final seconds, 59–58
1/14/2026 9:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
RUSTON, La. - Middle Tennessee fell to Louisiana Tech, 59-58, on the road Wednesday night, splitting the season series with the Bulldogs.
The Blue Raiders came out firing once again against LA Tech, this time doing most of their damage inside the arc. In the first meeting between the two teams, Middle Tennessee knocked down a program-record 22 three-pointers in Murfreesboro, but Wednesday's early success came from balanced scoring and defensive stops.
Middle Tennessee controlled the opening half, holding the Bulldogs to just 21 points while scoring 40 of its own to take a 19-point lead into the break. Louisiana Tech shot just 20 percent from the field in the first half and went 0-for-4 from three-point range, while MTSU shot 46 percent overall, connecting on four triples.
Momentum shifted in the second half as the Blue Raiders managed just 18 points over the final 20 minutes. The Bulldogs chipped away and finally connected on their first three-pointer of the night with 4.7 seconds remaining to take a one-point lead.
That basket proved to be the difference, as Louisiana Tech held on for the 59–58 victory, handing Middle Tennessee just its second Conference USA loss of the season.
Nick McDevitt
"Just a really disappointing loss, not just the loss but how we lost. Our team has to learn how to win on the road. Credit to LA Tech, they didn't fold. They came out hard in the second half, and we didn't match it."
By the Numbers
4: Chris Loofe tied a career high with four blocks, all coming in the first half
5: Kamari Lands ties a career high in assists with five, Sean Smith also dished out five assists.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee returns home to host Missouri State in the Murphy Center. Tip off is set for Saturday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m.
The Blue Raiders came out firing once again against LA Tech, this time doing most of their damage inside the arc. In the first meeting between the two teams, Middle Tennessee knocked down a program-record 22 three-pointers in Murfreesboro, but Wednesday's early success came from balanced scoring and defensive stops.
Middle Tennessee controlled the opening half, holding the Bulldogs to just 21 points while scoring 40 of its own to take a 19-point lead into the break. Louisiana Tech shot just 20 percent from the field in the first half and went 0-for-4 from three-point range, while MTSU shot 46 percent overall, connecting on four triples.
Momentum shifted in the second half as the Blue Raiders managed just 18 points over the final 20 minutes. The Bulldogs chipped away and finally connected on their first three-pointer of the night with 4.7 seconds remaining to take a one-point lead.
That basket proved to be the difference, as Louisiana Tech held on for the 59–58 victory, handing Middle Tennessee just its second Conference USA loss of the season.
Nick McDevitt
"Just a really disappointing loss, not just the loss but how we lost. Our team has to learn how to win on the road. Credit to LA Tech, they didn't fold. They came out hard in the second half, and we didn't match it."
By the Numbers
4: Chris Loofe tied a career high with four blocks, all coming in the first half
5: Kamari Lands ties a career high in assists with five, Sean Smith also dished out five assists.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee returns home to host Missouri State in the Murphy Center. Tip off is set for Saturday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m.
Team Stats
MTSU
LATech
FG%
.389
.362
3FG%
.350
.083
FT%
.500
.762
RB
43
32
TO
13
7
STL
3
9
Game Leaders
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
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