GAME NOTES: Looking to improve on a four-game win streak, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will hit the road to face their in-state rival Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in a non-conference matchup at the Cajundome.

Louisiana Tech brings a 7-1 record into this clash with Louisiana, which includes the four-game win streak. The Bulldogs took down Jackson State, 65-52, in their last outing, and have only lost to Temple, 82-75, in Philadelphia so far.

Louisiana has won two of its last three games, but the most recent outing against McNeese State resulted in an 80-70 loss. The Ragin' Cajuns are clearly missing ex-point guard Elfrid Payton, who moved on to the NBA after last season.

These two intrastate foes have clashed over 150 times on the court in their all-time series history, with Louisiana Tech holding the edge, 86-72. They met last season in a contest that resulted in a Cajuns' victory, 89-80.

Louisiana Tech didn't have the prettiest offensive day in its last outing against Jackson State, as the Bulldogs finished with a 35.1 percent shooting mark from the floor in the contest. But it was enough to get by the Tigers, who hit on just 34.5 percent of their tries. Alex Hamilton led the way for the Bulldogs with 13 points, adding in 5-of-6 from the free-throw line. Raheem Appleby chipped in with 11 points, and Kenneth Smith dished out a team-high 10 assists in the win. Michale Kyser nearly managed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

A trio of players enter the game against Louisiana averaging scoring totals in the double figures for the Bulldogs, who sport a well-rounded lineup overall. Appleby leads the charge, netting 16.0 ppg on 37.6 percent shooting. Hamilton is next on the squad with a 13.9 ppg mark, adding in a team-high 15 steals. Erik McCree rounds out the group with 11.9 ppg. Kyser leads the Bulldogs in rebounding, bringing down 7.6 rpg, and Smith has tallied 60 assists through eight games against just 21 turnovers. The Bulldogs are averaging 76.6 ppg as a unit, and allowing only 64.8 ppg to opponents.

McNeese State leapt out to a 41-31 advantage at halftime over Louisiana, and the Cowboys never looked back. McNeese only shot 40 percent from the floor and 25 percent from 3-point range, but 29 points and 16 rebounds from Desharick Guidry held the Cajuns down. Shawn Long scored 18 points with 11 rebounds to pace Louisiana in both categories, while Brian Williams netted 15 points with five boards in the losing effort.

Entering this game, it's Williams that leads the Cajuns in scoring at 13.0 ppg, followed by Long's 11.2 ppg total. Long comes in with a team-leading 6.4 rpg mark with 13 blocked shots, and will look to cancel out Kyser for of Bulldogs. Devonta Walker rounds out the double-digit scorers for the Cajuns at 11.0 ppg. As a unit, Louisiana is scoring 70.3 ppg on 46.3 percent shooting, but is allowing opponents to net 66.7 ppg.

The home advantage will help the Ragin' Cajuns, who are hoping to get back in the win column after a tough double-digit loss. But Louisiana Tech has performed extremely well in all areas on the floor this season, and will be looking to keep it up here.