Louisiana Tech Looks to Strengthen Conference Standing Against Kennesaw State

Bulldogs and Owls battle for position in conference standings with tournament seeding on the line

Feb. 21, 2026 at 12:52pm

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With just five games left in the regular season, Louisiana Tech and Kennesaw State are battling for position in the conference standings as tournament seeding hangs in the balance. The Bulldogs will look to solidify — and potentially improve — their spot when they take the court Saturday afternoon.

Why it matters

This late-season matchup between Louisiana Tech and Kennesaw State has major implications for the conference standings and tournament seeding. Both teams are currently tied in the loss column, so this game could determine which team gets a higher seed and better positioning for the upcoming conference tournament.

The details

Louisiana Tech is coming off a strong offensive performance in their last game, shooting 55% from the field and 40% from 3-point range in a 77-71 win over Jacksonville State. Backcourt duo DJ Dudley and AJ Bates led the way, with Dudley scoring 22 points and Bates dishing out a career-high 15 assists. Kennesaw State, meanwhile, snapped a 3-game losing streak with a 91-87 road win over Missouri State, led by sophomore guard RJ Johnson's 29 points. The Owls play at the 19th-fastest tempo in the nation, setting up an up-tempo affair on Saturday.

  • The game will take place on February 21, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.
  • Louisiana Tech enters the game with a 15-11 (8-7) record, while Kennesaw State is 15-11 (7-8).

The players

Talvin Hester

The head coach of Louisiana Tech, who is in his fourth season with a 72-51 record.

Antoine Pettway

The head coach of Kennesaw State, who is in his third season with a 49-41 record.

DJ Dudley

The starting guard for Louisiana Tech who scored 22 points in their last game.

AJ Bates

The starting guard for Louisiana Tech who dished out a career-high 15 assists in their last game.

RJ Johnson

The sophomore guard for Kennesaw State who scored 29 points in their last game.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with the same energy and efficiency that we showed in our last game. Every possession will be crucial as we battle for conference positioning.”

— Talvin Hester, Head Coach, Louisiana Tech

“This is a big game for us, and we know Louisiana Tech will be a tough opponent. But we're confident in our ability to play at a high tempo and get the win at home.”

— Antoine Pettway, Head Coach, Kennesaw State

What’s next

The winner of this game will take a step closer to securing a higher seed in the upcoming conference tournament, which could provide them with a more favorable path to the championship.

The takeaway

This late-season matchup between Louisiana Tech and Kennesaw State is a crucial one, as both teams look to improve their conference standing and tournament seeding. The up-tempo style of play and the tight race in the standings should make for an exciting and hard-fought game on Saturday.