RUSTON, La. (AP) – Raheem Appleby and Alex Hamilton each scored 14 points as Louisiana Tech roared past Florida International, 75-42, to earn its 20th win of the season and take over sole possession of first place in Conference USA Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (20-6, 11-2) entered Saturday tied with Western Kentucky atop the conference standings, but the Hilltoppers were upset by Marshall, 87-82.
Louisiana Tech held the Golden Panthers to just 15 first-half points and outscored them by 22 points in the second half.
Louisiana Tech shot 47.5 percent from the field (28 of 59) and was 8 of 23 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ defense held Florida International to just 15 of 54 shooting (27.8 percent).
Dennis Maven scored 11 points and Adrian Diaz scored 11 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots to lead Florida International (12-13, 5-7).
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