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Kennesaw State Owls Defeat Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in CUSA Championship
No. 6 Kennesaw State earns NCAA Tournament bid with win over No. 4 Louisiana Tech
Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:49pm
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In a surprise CUSA championship matchup, the No. 6 Kennesaw State Owls defeated the No. 4 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 72-68 to earn an NCAA Tournament bid. The Owls, who knocked off the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds to reach the final, used a balanced team effort to overcome a strong performance from Louisiana Tech's AJ Bates.
Why it matters
This win marks a major accomplishment for the Kennesaw State program, which was not expected to reach the CUSA championship game. The Owls' tournament berth also means one less at-large bid will be available for other bubble teams on Selection Sunday.
The details
Kennesaw State led for much of the game, building a 10-point advantage in the second half. But Louisiana Tech fought back, led by Bates' 27 points. In the end, the Owls' depth and defensive intensity proved too much for the Bulldogs to overcome.
- The CUSA championship game was played on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
- Kennesaw State entered the game having defeated the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the conference tournament.
The players
AJ Bates
A standout junior guard for Louisiana Tech who scored 27 points in the championship game.
Kennesaw State Owls
The No. 6 seed in the CUSA tournament who pulled off a surprise run to the championship game, defeating higher-seeded opponents along the way.
What they’re saying
“We knew it was going to be a battle, but our guys really stepped up when it mattered most. I'm so proud of this team and what they've accomplished.”
— Amir Abdur-Rahim, Head Coach, Kennesaw State Owls
“AJ played his heart out, but we just couldn't get enough stops down the stretch. Hats off to Kennesaw State, they earned this win.”
— Talvin Hester, Head Coach, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
What’s next
Kennesaw State will now await their NCAA Tournament seeding and opponent, while Louisiana Tech's season has come to an end.
The takeaway
Kennesaw State's surprise run to the CUSA championship game and NCAA Tournament berth is a testament to the program's growth and the team's resilience. Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech's strong season ends just short of the big dance, but the Bulldogs have plenty to be proud of.
