RUSTON, La. – Louisiana Tech looks to bounce back from a disappointing season-opening loss as they return to the Thomas Assembly Center for its home opener versus in-state foe Centenary on Wednesday night.
Before taking the floor to try to win their first game of the season and its 19th straight in the TAC, the Bulldogs will be honored for their Western Athletic Conference regular season championship a year ago with a ring ceremony and a dropping of the banner.
In their season opener, LA Tech (0-1) was unable to do something that very few teams have been able to do and that is beat Saint Mary's at McKeon Pavilion. The Gaels were 32-2 at home in the past two seasons with only two teams -- Loyola Maramout - 2012, Gonzaga - 2013 -- accomplishing the feat.
Raheem Appleby (18), Chris Anderson (15) and Alex Hamilton (13) led the way in scoring for the 'Dogs in the 83-70 loss.
"It was not a complete loss because I thought there was a lot to be learned from," said head coach Michael White. "We had an hour film session with our guys and as always our guys had the right mentality. We move forward. We have a lot to learn from that game."
Tomorrow' matchup will be the season opener for Centenary who returns four starters, including the reigning SCAC Player of the Year, Jonathan Blount. The senior guard was named to the LSWA All-Louisiana team and to the DIII News All-American team as a junior.
He led the Gents last season in scoring with an average of 21 points per contest, including double-digit scoring in all 21 contests he played in.
The Gents finished 2012-13 with a 9-15 record, ending the season with a first round loss to Southwestern in the SCAC Tournament.
"We are back at home and as simple as it sounds, we have to get back to making better decisions, being the experienced team that we should be with nine upperclassmen," said White. "It has got to be about the grind, about what we do, and be who we are."
Centenary is the first of seven in-state foes that LA Tech will face this season on the hardwood. The very first collegiate basketball ever played by the Bulldogs (then Louisiana Polytechnic of Ruston) came against Centenary on Jan. 4, 1926 inside the YMCA Gymnasium in Shreveport. CC was victorious in that meeting, 40-13.
The Bulldogs and Gents have played each other 151 times, but the 151st time may have been the most dramatic and most thrilling.
Down 22 points in the second half, LA Tech stormed back to win, 102-96, in double overtime at Centenary on Dec. 12, 2009.
Centenary dropped in 20 three-pointers, but Kyle Gibson poured in a game-high 28 points, including back-to-back three's to tie the game in regulation. All 28 points by the former Bulldog came in the second half and in the two extra periods.
The matchup will be broadcast live on the LA Tech Sports Network on KXKZ 107.5 FM with the pregame show beginning at 6 p.m. The "Voice of the Bulldogs" Dave Nitz will do play-by-play while Jack Thigpen provides analysis. Fans can also access live video and audio of the game via the Internet by subscribing to LA Tech All-Access at www.LATechSports.com.
Twitter users can also receive live in-game updates by following @LATechHoops.
