MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — A pivotal early Conference USA men’s basketball matchup tips off Friday when the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs visit the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Murphy Athletics Center.

Both teams enter the new year looking to build momentum in league play. Louisiana Tech (8-4) carries a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating UTEP 75-63 on Monday. Middle Tennessee (7-5) seeks to rebound from a 60-69 road loss to a tough Houston squad the same day.

The Bulldogs have been led by the consistent play of guard DJ Dudley. He is coming off an 18-point, 2-assist performance against UTEP, logging 40 minutes. Over his last five games, Dudley is averaging 14.8 points while regularly playing the entire contest. His backcourt running mate, AJ Bates, notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists in the win over UTEP.

The Blue Raiders counter with forward Kamari Lands, who scored 18 points in the loss at Houston. Lands has been a key scorer, including a 24-point outing in a narrow 68-67 win over Kennesaw State on Dec. 17. His production will be central to Middle Tennessee’s offensive plans.

Louisiana Tech’s record includes several dominant wins over non-Division I opponents, but also features a quality victory over Indiana State. The Bulldogs’ losses have come on the road at Tulane, Georgia Southern and Indiana State. Middle Tennessee’s schedule has been challenging, with defeats coming against Houston, Belmont, Michigan and McNeese State, balanced by a notable win over UAB.

Defense figures to be a theme. Louisiana Tech has held its last four Division I opponents to an average of 58.3 points per game. Middle Tennessee will need to solve that pressure, particularly from a Bulldogs unit that forced 18 turnovers in their last outing.

Friday’s contest is the first of a regular-season home-and-home series between the teams, who will meet again in Ruston, Louisiana, on Jan. 14. The game tips off at 7 p.m. CST.