Duruji and Bracey help Bulldogs escape Blazers

Feb 16, 2018, 04:36 am

RUSTON, La. -- Anthony Duruji scored 21 points and swatted 3 shots and Daquan Bracey added 11 points as Louisiana Tech pulled away to beat UAB 73-60 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (16-11, 7-7 Conference USA) had UAB on the ropes early following a 24-9 run that put them up 14 less than halfway through the first half. UAB answered with a 9-0 run a few minutes later, closing the margin to three. The Bulldogs held just a four-point advantage at the break.

Early in the second half, the Blazers (16-11, 7-7) managed to keep pace with Louisiana Tech. Following a 7-0 UAB run capped by a Nate Darling 3-pointer, it was tied at 45, and the teams swapped baskets to make it 47-all. Bracey and Duruji then made a 3-pointer each, and Jy'lan Washington took a pass from the top of the key all the way to the hoop for an emphatic dunk to put the Bulldogs up by eight, after which they never surrendered the lead.

Chris Cokley notched his 13th double-double of the season for the Blazers with 10 points and 13 rebounds.