Bulldogs Bit in NIT: Tech loses to Southern Miss in 2nd round!

Intense, physical and sloppy! Those three words describe the play of both Louisiana Tech and Southern Mississippi in the Golden Eagles 63-52 win in the 2nd round of the NIT.

Southern Miss was a little more intense, a little more physical and a little less sloppy than the Bulldogs.  Tech traveled to Hattiesburg as the #5 seed, Southern Miss the #1 seed.  The loss ends an historic season for LaTech basketball.  Tech notched 27 wins, the second most in program history, and earned the programs first top 25 ranking in 25 years.  Not since Karl "the Mailman" Malone delivered wins in Ruston had the Tech hoopers had this much success and national attention.

Raheem Appleby had 17 points to lead the Bulldogs, but Tech was outscored 44-22 in the paint.

Tech beat Southern Miss on Dec. 8th in a non-conference game.  The two teams will be league rivals next season when Louisiana Tech joins Conference USA.