RUSTON, La. | Jayme Mitchell Jr. and Daeshun Ruffin scored in double figures for Jackson State but it wasn't enough as the Tigers fell 68-51 to Louisiana Tech at the Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday night.

Mitchell led the way for Jackson State (0-3) with 13 points, with 11 of those coming the first half, finishing the night 3-of-7 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Ruffin finished with 10 points, connecting 6-of-8 from the free throw line and added four assists. Kaden Cooper and AJ Bates led Louisiana Tech (2-1) with 15 points each.

Jackson State finished the night shooting 26.8 percent (15-of-56) percent from the floor and 24.2 percent (8-of-33) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 76.5 (13-of-17) percent from the free throw line, while Louisiana Tech finished the night shooting 35.9 percent (23-of-64) percent from the floor and 25.0 percent (4-of-16) percent from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs also shot 58.1 (18-of-31) percent from the free throw line. 

Inside the Numbers
Jackson State finished the first half shooting 26.3 (10-of-38) percent from the floor and 26.1 (6-of-23) percent from beyond the arc. They also finished the first half shooting 70.0 (7-of-10) percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech shot 29.5 (13-of-44) percent from the floor and hit on just one of 11 three-pointers. They also shot 61.1 (11-of-18) percent from the free throw line in the first half. 

The Tigers assisted on seven of their eight baskets in the opening half and grabbed 19 rebounds, while also blocking three shots and recording five steals.

Jackson State led 25-17 after a pair of Mitchell free throws with 7:28 remaining in the opening half, and the Tigers held that lead until Louisiana Tech went on a 9-0 run to grab a 26-25 lead. That lead was extended 31-25 before Deashun Ruffin hit a free throw to end the run with 1:20 to play in the first half. The two teams traded baskets for the final 60 seconds of the first half with Louisiana Tech eventually taking a 34-27 lead at the intermission.

In the second half, Jackson State shot 25.9 percent (7-of-27) percent from the floor and 14.3 percent (2-of-14) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 88.9 (8-of-9) percent from the free throw line, while Louisiana Tech finished the half shooting 40.0 percent (10-of-25) percent from the floor and 50.0 percent (3-of-6) percent from beyond the arc. 

Up Next
Jackson State returns to action on Nov. 18 against Auburn on the road, the first of three games next week for the Tigers.

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