RUSTON, La. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive stands and missed opportunities, Will Allen’s putback with six seconds remaining lifted Louisiana Tech to a 72-70 victory over Missouri State in a tense Conference USA men’s basketball clash Thursday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.

The win completed a regular-season sweep for the Bulldogs, who edged the Bears in double-overtime just two weeks prior, and extended Missouri State’s recent run of agonizingly close defeats.

The final sequence encapsulated the entire evening. With the score knotted at 70, Louisiana Tech’s Scooter Williams drove the lane, but his layup attempt was swatted away by Missouri State’s Darrion Sutton. The ball caromed directly to Allen, who gathered it and softly laid it back in for the decisive score.

Missouri State, after a timeout, inbounded to its leading scorer, Keith Palek. The 6-foot-8 forward from Woodbine, New Jersey, who finished with a game-high 29 points, attempted to drive the left side but had the ball poked away by Louisiana Tech’s Kaden Cooper with two seconds left. After a scramble and foul, Williams missed two free throws, but time expired on the rebound, sealing the Bulldogs’ win before an announced crowd of 2,051.

The game was a defensive struggle from the outset, with both teams struggling for consistent offensive flow. Louisiana Tech’s rim protection, led by 7-foot center Melian Martinez’s seven blocks, altered countless attempts in the paint. The Bulldogs finished with 11 blocks as a team, forcing the Bears into a 22-of-54 shooting performance.

Despite the defensive pressure, Missouri State, now 13-15 overall, led for much of the contest. They took a 38-37 lead into halftime behind 14 first-half points from Palek. The Bears extended their advantage to as many as six points early in the second half, but could never deliver a knockout blow, hampered by 13 turnovers and the Bulldogs’ persistent interior defense.

Louisiana Tech, improving to 16-12, chipped away, primarily through the efforts of guard DJ Dudley. The Inglewood, California, native scored 27 points, including several crucial baskets down the stretch to keep his team within striking distance. His driving layup and subsequent free throw with 2:34 to play gave the Bulldogs a 66-63 lead, their largest of the half to that point.

Missouri State responded with resilience. Palek hit a tough jumper to tie the game at 70 with 35 seconds left, setting the stage for the frantic finish. Kobi Williams added 14 points for the Bears, while Michael Osei-Bonsu contributed 12 points and a team-high four offensive rebounds.

Beyond Dudley’s scoring, Louisiana Tech received key contributions across the roster. Allen finished with 13 points, two blocks, and the game-winning rebound. Jaylen Fenner added 12 points before fouling out, and Martinez’s defensive presence, alongside his four points, was a constant deterrent.

Statistically, the game was remarkably even. Louisiana Tech shot 48% from the field to Missouri State’s 40.7%, and made nine three-pointers to the Bears’ six. Missouri State countered by making 20 of 24 free throws, while the Bulldogs hit just 15 of 24 from the line. Each team committed double-digit turnovers, and the rebounding battle was nearly even.

The loss marks another heartbreaker for Missouri State, which has now dropped five of its last six games, with four of those defeats coming by four points or fewer, including the double-overtime loss to these same Bulldogs. The Bears’ offense, which managed an offensive rating of 105.4 on 66 possessions, ultimately could not solve Louisiana Tech’s defense when it mattered most.

For Louisiana Tech, the victory provides momentum as they cling to hopes of securing a favorable seeding for the upcoming conference tournament. The Bulldogs’ offensive rating of 106.8 on 67 possessions was just efficient enough to complement a stellar defensive effort that held firm in the game’s critical moment.

Both teams return to action on Saturday. Missouri State travels to face Sam Houston, while Louisiana Tech hosts Florida International.