FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Kalob Ledoux scored 20 points, making 6 of 7 3-pointers, and Louisiana Tech defeated Western Kentucky 72-65 on Thursday night to advance to the NIT semifinals.
Louisiana Tech (23-7) will play Mississippi State on Saturday in Texas. It will be the first time the semifinals won’t be played in New York City since the tournament started in 1938.
Kenneth Lofton’s steal and fast-break dunk gave Louisiana Tech a 68-60 lead with 51.9 seconds left.
Josh Anderson hit a 3-pointer to pull WKU to 70-65 with 25.4 seconds left, and Dayvion McKnight stole Louisiana Tech’s inbound pass. McKnight found Luke Frampton at the top of the arc but his 3-pointer hit the front of the rim.
Exavian Christon sealed it with two free throws.
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1of15Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey, center left, defends against Louisiana Tech forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less2of15Louisiana Tech guard Kalob Ledoux (5) runs to the other end of the court after hitting a 3-point shot the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Western Kentucky in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less
3of154of15Western Kentucky's Jordan Rawls (3) and Josh Anderson, front, defend as Louisiana Tech forward Isaiah Crawford attempts to pass the ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less5of15Louisiana Tech forward Isaiah Crawford (22) fouls Western Kentucky guard Luke Frampton on a shot attempt during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less
6of157of15Western Kentucky center Charles Bassey dunks during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less8of15Louisiana Tech guard Kalob Ledoux (5) defends as Western Kentucky guard Taveion Hollingsworth (11) moves to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less
9of1510of15Western Kentucky guard Jordan Rawls reacts after sinking a 3-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less11of15Western Kentucky coach Rick Stansbury gestures during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Louisiana Tech in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less
12of1513of15Western Kentucky guard Josh Anderson (4) goes up for a dunk attempt as Louisiana Tech forward Isaiah Crawford (22) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less14of15Louisiana Tech coach Eric Konkol signals to player during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Western Kentucky in the quarterfinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Frisco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez/APShow MoreShow Less
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Lofton had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Amorie Archibald added 11 points and six rebounds for Louisiana Tech.
Louisiana Tech’s final six shots of the first half were from 3-point range — making four during a 12-0 run for a 39-31 lead. Ledoux made all four of his 3-point attempts in the first half, scoring 14 points, and Louisiana Tech was 8 of 12. The Bulldogs finished 11 of 18.
Jordan Rawls tied a career high with 20 points and had eight assists for the Hilltoppers (21-8). Charles Bassey added 15 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Taveion Hollingsworth had 13 points.
