Bulldogs defeat Grand Canyon in slugfest

Louisiana Tech, looking to add a major win to its NCAA Tournament resume, survived multiple runs from Grand Canyon to pull out a tight 74-66 win Monday at the Thomas Assembly Center.

With the win, the Bulldogs (10-2) are off to their best start since the 2015-16 season. To finish the job, even when GCU cut it to 65-64 with 3:10 left, LA Tech leaned on its point guard Sean Newman Jr., making a steady case he's the best point guard in the country after 25 points (a career high) and 9 assists.

Tech fended off every GCU punch, even when the Lopes started connecting from three late in the game. Newman, who put up 13 points and 7 assists in the second half, helped turn the TAC into a madhouse down the stretch by scoring or assisting on all of Tech's final 9 points, including a dagger assist to a cutting Kaden Cooper who took the pass for a dunk to make it 72-66.

As of Monday night, Newman leads the country in assists (108). But he's only concerned on taking Tech further and further, not worried about statistics or national figures. He's all about winning and turning the Bulldogs into a serious threat in Conference USA.

"First, I want to thank God for the opportunity he's blessed me with. Without him, none of this would be possible," Newman said. "This is probably one of the best atmospheres I've been in at the TAC since I've been here these two years," Newman said. "It was amazing to see. They kept us in the game."

"I just try to take it day by day," Newman adde. "Just trying to be a better version of myself every day. I just keep getting in the gym. I'm not going worry about what I did today. I know it's not going to matter when we play the next game. Just gotta keep working."

Newman started and stayed hot, starting off by scoring or assisting on 11 of the team's 13 points, giving Tech’s larger than normal crowd a 13-2 lead to cheer for with 16:12 left in the first half. But Grand Canyon took advantage of Daniel Batcho picking up his second foul with 12 minutes left in the half and cut Tech’s lead to 21-19 with 7:40 left.

And after a flurry of fouls and turnovers from the Bulldogs, along with 9 offensive rebounds in the first half, GCU took a 32-28 lead over the Bulldogs. Despite shooting 3-12 from three in the first half, Tech stayed afloat - trailing just 33-32 at halftime - thanks to the aggressiveness of Newman, who had 12 points by the break.

"He's not underrated anymore," Hester said. "I think he showed he showed that he is who we think he is. He can be that because we got good players around him. You can't be good by yourself. He can get down hill because he has Batcho rolling to the rim and you got Amaree and Kaden and Devin and Al and those guys on the perimiter and so it keeps everybody honest. He just takes advantage of opprtunites. He usually makes the right decision. Yes, he makes mistakes. Everybody does.

"But any coach in the country would trust the ball in his hands."

The Bulldogs needed to trade blow for blow with GCU for a while in the second half, especially when the Lopes started connecting on three straight triples. But for every GCU punch, Newman delivered a right hook and got Tech settled down. From threes, stepbacks, to flashy dimes, Newman provided a bit of everything in the nailbiting finish.

"I thought when they went under a couple ball screens and gave him opportunites to shoot to stop him from going to the basket, he was confident and shot the ball and made two threes, which made them come back out and guard him which gave him back downhill which gets Batcho back into play," Hester said. "When he's unguardable in that situation, he can make the right plays and makes everybody better."

Ray Harrison and Tyon Grant-Foster, Grand Canyon's top scoring threats, combined for just 7 points on 2-18 shooting. As a team, GCU shot just 22% (6-27 ) from deep and missed seven free throws as well.

"They followed the scouting report. I think they're realizing the value of understanding it," Hester said of Tech's defense.

To go with Newman's big night, Batcho added 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Amaree Abram scored 15 points.

Louisiana Tech (10-2) closes non-conference play on Saturday at the TAC against Rust College.