HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — AJ Bates scored 27 points to lead Louisiana Tech to a 69-66 win over Missouri State in a Conference USA tournament men’s basketball game Friday at T. M. Elmore Gymnasium. The Bulldogs, who improved to 20-13, held off a late charge from the Bears. Louisiana Tech led 30-27 at halftime, and both teams scored 39 points in the second half. Michael Osei-Bonsu led Missouri State with 19 points and eight rebounds. Keith Palek added 15 points for the Bears, who finished their season 16-18. Avery Thomas grabbed 12 rebounds for Louisiana Tech. An announced crowd of 2,187 watched the tightly contested game, which saw the Bulldogs sweep the three-game season series from Missouri State.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — In a game defined by clutch plays and a dramatic final sequence, AJ Bates scored 27 points and dished out six assists to lead Louisiana Tech to a tense 69-66 victory over Missouri State in a Conference USA men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal on Friday afternoon at T. M. Elmore Gymnasium. The contest, played before a crowd of 2,187, was a nail-biter that fittingly extended the Bulldogs’ recent dominance in a tightly contested season series. For the third time this season, the two teams were separated by three points or fewer, with Louisiana Tech winning all three meetings by a combined margin of six points. The most critical juncture of the game unfolded in the final 36 seconds. With Louisiana Tech clinging to a 65-63 lead, Missouri State’s Michael Osei-Bonsu grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer and kicked it out to Trey Williams Jr., who drained a deep three-pointer to give the Bears a 66-65 advantage with just 42 seconds remaining. Louisiana Tech called a timeout and set up a play for Bates, whose driving layup attempt rolled off the rim. Bulldogs forward Avery Thomas, who had a monster game with 12 rebounds, was perfectly positioned for the follow, tipping the ball back in to reclaim a 67-66 lead with 16 seconds left. Missouri State had a chance to win or tie on its final possession. After advancing the ball, the Bears got a clean look for Keith Palek from beyond the arc, but his shot missed. Osei-Bonsu again fought for the offensive board and was fouled by Thomas with three seconds on the clock, sending him to the line for two free throws in a one-and-one situation. Osei-Bonsu, who led all scorers with 19 points and added eight rebounds and five assists, made the first free throw to tie the game. However, his second attempt rimmed out. Louisiana Tech’s Kaden Cooper secured the rebound, was immediately fouled, and calmly sank both free throws with three seconds left to seal the 69-66 final. A last-ditch heave from Missouri State was intercepted by Thomas as time expired. The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout. Missouri State, the visiting team, held a narrow 27-30 halftime lead behind the interior work of Osei-Bonsu and the perimeter shooting of Melakih Cunningham, who finished with 13 points. The Bulldogs stayed close thanks to Bates’ scoring and the relentless rebounding of Thomas, who repeatedly extended possessions for Louisiana Tech. The second half saw nine lead changes and five ties. Neither team led by more than five points. Bates, Louisiana Tech’s star guard from Houston, Texas, was the steadying force, scoring 17 of his 27 points after halftime. He consistently answered Missouri State baskets, including a crucial turnaround jumper with just over three minutes left to give his team a 65-63 edge. Missouri State received balanced scoring behind Osei-Bonsu. Palek added 15 points, while Williams contributed 11 points and four assists. The Bears’ effort was ultimately undone by the final offensive rebound by Thomas and the missed free throw in the closing seconds. With the win, Louisiana Tech improved its season record to 20-13 and advanced to the conference tournament semifinals. The Bulldogs have now won five of their last six games. Missouri State’s season ends with a 16-18 record, concluding a campaign where they suffered three heartbreaking losses to the same opponent. The total points scored, 135, landed directly on the pre-game over/under line of 135.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — A budding conference rivalry with a recent history of nail-biters will add another chapter Friday when Louisiana Tech faces Missouri State in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game at T. M. Elmore Gymnasium. The Bulldogs (19-13) and Bears (16-17) meet for the third time this season, with Louisiana Tech having won both prior matchups by a combined three points. The Bulldogs edged the Bears 72-70 in Ruston on Feb. 26, and escaped Springfield with a 79-78 double-overtime victory on Feb. 12. Friday’s neutral-site contest projects as another tight affair, though national statistical models favor Louisiana Tech with a 67.3% probability to win. The Bulldogs enter with better overall momentum, having won three straight, including an 80-69 victory over Middle Tennessee on Thursday. Missouri State has won two consecutive games, most recently a 77-69 road win at Liberty on Wednesday. The spotlight will be on the teams’ standout guards. Missouri State is powered by Michael Osei-Bonsu, who is coming off a career-high 31-point performance against Liberty. Over his last five games, the dynamic scorer is averaging 20.2 points. He was held to 12 points in the loss at Louisiana Tech last month. Louisiana Tech counters with AJ Bates, who torched Middle Tennessee for 29 points and six assists. Bates, who leads a potent Bulldogs offense, dropped 34 points in a win at Liberty on March 5 and dished out 15 assists in a February win over Jacksonville State. His floor leadership will be critical against a Bears team seeking revenge. Missouri State will need secondary scoring from players like Kobi Williams, who added 19 points against Liberty, to support Osei-Bonsu. Louisiana Tech relies on a balanced attack; Avery Thomas and DJ Dudley combined for 31 points in Thursday’s win. Tipoff is set for Friday, March 13, 2026. The game will be played in Huntsville as part of a conference tournament or multi-team event.