SLU Lions (1-4) at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-1)
Dec. 9, 2020 | 6:30 p.m. CT | Ruston, Louisiana | Thomas Assembly Center 
Series History: Louisiana Tech Leads 37-18
Last Meeting: LTU 88, SLU 59 (Dec. 3, 2016, Ruston, Louisiana)
Watch: Conference USA TV
Radio: None

Live Video
Live Stats
 
RUSTON, La.  – The Southeastern Louisiana men's basketball team continues a season-opening 10-game road trip Wednesday night when they face Louisiana Tech in the Thomas Assembly Center at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Lions (1-4) split two games last week at California Baptist defeating the Lancers, 81-80, Wednesday night before falling Friday afternoon, 83-66. SLU was led in Wednesday's victory by Isiah Kirby scoring a career-high 18 points. The sophomore also hit the game winner for SLU with less than a second left. However, in Friday's contest, the Lions' three-point shooting struggles resurfaced as SLU was 3-for-22 (13 percent) from long range in the loss.
 
SLU enters the game with Louisiana Tech shooting 33 percent from the field (104-for-311), 19 percent (24-for-122) from the three-point line and 60 percent (80-for-132) from the free-throw line. Despite the shooting struggles, the Lions' defense has helped make up for the offense as SLU has forced their opponents into 94 turnovers and taken 33 offensive charges.
 
Southeastern is led in scoring by junior Joe Kasperzyk (6-3, 190, G) averaging 10.8 points a contest. The New Haven, Connecticut native is also second on the team in steals. Senior Keon Clergeot (6-1, 190, G) is scoring 10.2 per game. Out of Winter Haven, Florida, Clergeot has been a defensive stopper for the Lions as he leads the team in steals and has drawn 13 of the team's 33 offensive charges. The UMass transfer is also second on the team in rebounding and leads the team in free-throw shooting (26-for-36 for 72 percent).
 
The Bulldogs (3-1) will be looking to rebound from Sunday's 86-55 loss to LSU. LTU shot 19-for-66 (31 percent) from the field and 5-for-29 (16 percent) from the three-point line in the loss.
 
Louisiana Tech is led in scoring by redshirt senior Kalob LeDoux (6-4, 190, G). The Port Barre, Louisiana native is averaging 13.8 points per game including 40 percent (9-for-22) from the three-point line. The Bulldogs also have a large presence in the paint. Freshman Kenneth Lofton, Jr. (6-7, 275, F) was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week Monday. Out of Port Arthur, Texas, Lofton posted back-to-back double-doubles last week against ULM (10 points and 10 rebounds) and LSU (17 points and 12 rebounds) to earn the award.
 
The Lions' last win over LTU was Nov. 30, 2011 in Hammond, Louisiana, 72-69, in overtime. SLU's Brandon Fortenberry, the program's seventh all-time leader in scoring (1,348), scored a game-high 20 points and dished out seven assists to lead the Lions to the win.
 
Following Wednesday's contest, SLU will have six days off before traveling to face SEC foe Texas A&M Tuesday, Dec. 15 in College Station, Texas at 6 p.m.
 
Fans can watch Wednesday's game on Conference USA TV. Web links to video and stats are available on the basketball schedule page at LionSports.Net.
 
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners.  All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
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TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.