NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- Alex Hamilton scored 20 points and Chris Anderson 19 as Louisiana Tech held off Old Dominion for a 71-66 victory on Saturday night in the first meeting between the programs.
The victory left the Bulldogs (22-6, 10-3) in a four-way tie for second in Conference USA, a game back of Middle Tennessee, Louisiana Tech's next opponent.
Kenyon McNeail added 14 and Jaron Johnson 10 for the Bulldogs. Kenneth "Speedy" Smith collected eight assists, giving him 524 for his career and moving him to second all-time for Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs made 28 of 34 free throws.
The Bulldogs led 59-51 with 3:32 left after a 10-0 run. ODU got within three points four times in the final minute but the Bulldogs answered with eight free throws, the final four by McNeail.
Aaron Bacote led the Monarchs (13-15, 7-6) with 25 points. Dimitri Batten added 17 and Ambrose Mosley 11.
