GAME NOTES: The Coaches vs. Cancer Classic resumes Friday night at Thomas Assembly Center, as sub-host Louisiana Tech takes on the Morehead State Eagles in round-robin play.

Morehead State is in the midst of a stretch that includes five games in seven days. The Eagles are coming off a 69-61 setback at Cincinnati on Wednesday, and they will also face Presbyterian and American over the next two days in Ruston.

Friday night's contest marks the home opener for Louisiana Tech. After opening their season with an 85-76 win at Southern last Friday, the Bulldogs ventured to Temple on Monday night and came away with an 82-75 loss.

Morehead State has won all five prior meetings in the series with Louisiana Tech.

Morehead State put together a 13-0 spurt between the end of the first half and the beginning of the second against Cincinnati. But the Bearcats answered that with a 14-3 burst of their own to seize control. Both teams shot just 37 percent from the floor, although UC's 22-12 scoring advantage at the foul line proved to be a key factor in the outcome. Brent Arrington (13.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) knocked down 4-of-6 3-point tries and paced MSU with a game-high 21 points. Angelo Warner (17.5 ppg) was next with 14 points and six rebounds, while Kareem Storey (10.78 ppg, 7.0 apg) finished with 11 points, seven assists and seven boards.

Leading the way for Louisiana Tech through two games is Raheem Appleby with 20.5 ppg. Also averaging double figures are Erik McCree (15.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Alex Hamilton (13.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and Kenneth Smith (11.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg). The Bulldogs were a bit sloppy at the defensive end in their last outing, as they sent Temple to the charity stripe 49 times. The Owls made 34 of those attempts, while Tech was just 12-of-26 at the stripe. After cruising along offensively throughout the first half, the Bulldogs shot just 13-of-33 from the field in the second stanza as Temple took control. Appleby led all scorers with 26 points in the loss.

The Bulldogs figure to get a boost from the home crowd in this one. However, they will need an improved defensive effort in order to upend a balanced MSU squad.