<p>FRISCO, Texas — Kalob Ledoux scored 20 points, making 6 of 7 3-pointers, and Louisiana Tech defeated Western Kentucky 72-65 on Thursday night to advance to the NIT semifinals.</p>
<p>Louisiana Tech (23-7) will play Mississippi State on Saturday in Texas. It will be the first time the semifinals won’t be played in New York City since the tournament started in 1938.</p>
<p>Kenneth Lofton’s steal and fast-break dunk gave Louisiana Tech a 68-60 lead with 51.9 seconds left.</p>
<p>Josh Anderson hit a 3-pointer to pull WKU to 70-65 with 25.4 seconds left, and Dayvion McKnight stole Louisiana Tech’s inbound pass. McKnight found Luke Frampton at the top of the arc but his 3-pointer hit the front of the rim.</p>
<p>Exavian Christon sealed it with two free throws.</p>
<p>Lofton had 11 points and seven rebounds, and Amorie Archibald added 11 points and six rebounds for Louisiana Tech.</p>
<p>Louisiana Tech’s final six shots of the first half were from 3-point range — making four during a 12-0 run for a 39-31 lead. Ledoux made all four of his 3-point attempts in the first half, scoring 14 points, and Louisiana Tech was 8 of 12. The Bulldogs finished 11 of 18.</p>
<p>Jordan Rawls tied a career high with 20 points and had eight assists for the Hilltoppers (21-8). Charles Bassey added 15 points, 16 rebounds and three blocks. Taveion Hollingsworth had 13 points.</p>
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<p>This was generated by Automated Insights, <a href="http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap">http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap</a>, using data from STATS LLC, <a href="https://www.stats.com">https://www.stats.com</a></p>
