RUSTON, La. (Interstat) — In a tense rematch decided in the final second, DJ Dudley’s pull-up jumper as time expired lifted Louisiana Tech to a 75-73 victory over Indiana State in a non-conference men’s basketball thriller Wednesday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.

Just six days after falling to the Sycamores on the road, the Bulldogs exacted revenge in dramatic fashion, overcoming a furious second-half comeback by Indiana State. The game-winning play came after Indiana State’s Camp Wagner had tied the game with a clutch 3-pointer with 23 seconds remaining.

Following a Louisiana Tech timeout to advance the ball, the Bulldogs worked for the final shot. Dudley, isolated at the top of the key, created just enough space to sink the game-winner over a defender, sending the home crowd of 2,022 into a frenzy and capping a back-and-forth contest that featured 12 lead changes and eight ties.

The game was a tale of two halves, defined by contrasting styles. Louisiana Tech built its initial lead by dominating the glass and converting Indiana State’s mistakes into points. The Bulldogs hammered the Sycamores on the offensive boards, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points, a stark contrast to Indiana State’s mere two offensive rebounds. Louisiana Tech also leveraged its aggressive defense, recording seven steals that contributed to 11 Indiana State turnovers.

Despite the statistical disadvantages, Indiana State clawed back with relentless efficiency inside. The Sycamores scored 46 of their 73 points in the paint, shooting a solid 52.7% from the floor overall. Their comeback was fueled by a 47-point second-half explosion after trailing 37-26 at halftime.

The Bulldogs’ first-half control was built on a 16-4 run that stretched their lead to 35-21, largely powered by their work on the offensive glass and a 9-2 advantage in fast-break points. Indiana State, struggling from beyond the arc all night, missed 15 of its 21 3-point attempts, which hampered their ability to close the gap until late.

Xavier Hall led all Indiana State scorers with 17 points, consistently attacking the rim. He was supported by a balanced offensive effort from Markus Harding with 14 points, Camp Wagner with 15 and Ian Scott with 12. Scott also contributed four assists.

For Louisiana Tech, Dudley’s game-winner capped his team-high 17-point performance. AJ Bates was equally crucial, also scoring 16 points and providing a key defensive presence. Scooter Williams provided a vital spark off the bench with 12 points, while Sir Issac Herron added 10 points. Kaden Cooper was a force on the boards, pulling down multiple offensive rebounds to extend possessions.

The victory improved Louisiana Tech’s season record to 3-2, while Indiana State fell to 4-3. The game was part of a multi-team event, setting up a quick turnaround for both squads. Indiana State is scheduled to face Alcorn State in Ruston on Friday, while Louisiana Tech will host the same Alcorn State team on Saturday.

The contest was a statistical anomaly in several respects. Louisiana Tech won despite making only three 3-pointers on 14 attempts, while Indiana State connected on six. The Sycamores were also nearly perfect from the free-throw line, hitting 9 of 10, compared to the Bulldogs’ 6 of 7. Ultimately, Louisiana Tech’s significant edge in second-chance opportunities and a slightly more efficient offensive rating of 111.4 to Indiana State’s 107.7 proved to be the difference in a game decided by the slimmest of margins.