LYNCHBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Louisiana Tech built an early lead and withstood a second-half push to defeat Liberty 76-71 in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Thursday night at Vines Center.

The Bulldogs led 45-40 at halftime and maintained that five-point margin as both teams scored 31 points after intermission. The victory avenged a 16-point home loss to the Flames in January. Liberty, which entered as a heavy favorite, saw its record fall to 24-6. Louisiana Tech improved to 17-13 before an announced crowd of 3,134.