Ruston, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Raheem Appleby scored 23 points as the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defeated the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, 72-61, in a Conference USA tilt at Thomas Assembly Center.

Michale Kyser added 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulldogs (24-7, 15-3 C- USA). Erik McCree contributed 10 points and Kenneth Smith had 10 assists and four steals as Louisiana Tech clinched the outright Conference USA regular- season title and will be the number one seed in the conference tournament.

The win also extended Louisiana Tech's home win streak to 29 games, the fourth-longest streak nationally.

As for the Golden Eagles (9-20, 4-14), Shadell Millinghaus scored 25 points, while Matt Bingaya added nine points and 10 rebounds with seven turnovers.

The Bulldogs shot 36.7 percent from the field in the opening frame, but took a 26-24 lead at the break. Southern Miss shot 34.5 percent from the field and connected on 3-of-7 from 3-point range.

In the second half, the Bulldogs shot 51.6 percent from the field and converted on 11-of-13 chances from the free-throw line to cruise to the 11- point win. The Golden Eagles shot 57.7 percent from the field, but couldn't keep pace with the hosts from 3-point range or from the charity stripe.

With the win, Louisiana Tech earns its first outright conference championship since 1999. The Bulldogs held a 28-12 advantage in points scored off turnovers.