ESTERO, Fla. — In an exciting first-round matchup at the Gulf Coast Showcase on Monday evening, Louisiana Tech secured an impressive 85-79 overtime victory over Southern Illinois. Al Green was a standout for the Bulldogs, contributing 19 points, while Sean Newman Jr. played a crucial role in overtime, adding seven points to the team’s total.

Green also showcased his defensive skills, recording three steals for Louisiana Tech, which improved to 5-0 on the season. Kaden Cooper made a significant impact as well, finishing with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Amaree Abram was effective on the offensive end, converting 8 of 13 shots from the field to tally another 18 points, along with a remarkable six steals.

For Southern Illinois, Kennard Davis led the scoring with 16 points, complemented by 10 rebounds and three steals, highlighting his all-around performance. Jarrett Hensley contributed significantly too, adding 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ali Abdou Dibba chipped in with 12 points and two steals.

Louisiana Tech found themselves trailing at halftime, as Cooper’s 12 points were not enough to secure a lead, going into the break down 31-27. However, a strong second half led by Abram’s excellent performance allowed Louisiana Tech to rally back and ultimately secure a six-point win.

Both teams are set to compete again on Tuesday as part of the six-team round-robin tournament. Louisiana Tech will face Richmond, while Southern Illinois is scheduled to take on Eastern Kentucky in their next matchups.