Louisiana Tech pushes past Middle Tennessee 75-68

Jan 17, 2015, 06:37 pm

RUSTON, La. -- Alex Hamilton finished with 30 points and made a school-record 20 free throws, pacing Louisiana Tech to a 75-68 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday.

Raheem Appleby chipped in 18 points, Kenneth Smith added 10 assists with seven rebounds, and Michale Kyser had nine points and six blocks for the Bulldogs (14-4, 5-0 Conference USA). Hamilton was 5 of 9 from the floor, 20 of 23 at the line and grabbed six boards as Louisiana Tech won its sixth straight.

JaQuel Richmond led Middle Tennessee (10-8, 3-2) with 14 points, Reggie Upshaw Jr. contributed 12 and Perrin Buford had nine with 11 rebounds.

The Bulldogs made three layups and Hamilton sank four free throws during a 10-0 surge that made it 57-44 with 9:59 remaining. Middle Tennessee pulled within four late, but Hamilton hit a layup and 3 of 4 free throws in the final two minutes to seal it.