Louisiana Tech handled University Arkansas Little Rock easily tonight winning 86-66. Magnum Rolle's 23 points, combined with 22 from Kyle Gibson and 20 from Olu Ashaolu did the trick. Rolle shot 6-12 overall, 11-14 from the foul line. Gibson's line was also an impressive one: 6-9 from the floor, including 3-5 on trey attempts and 7-7 at the charity stripe. Ashaolu buried 8 of 11 shot attempts, including both his three point tries.
Plus, Coach Kerry Rupp officially announced his fall recruiting class:
...D.J. Wright, a highly sought after recruit from Sault Ste Marie, Canada, was the MVP of the 2009 NJCAA Tournament for Salt Lake Community College. The class has local flavor as well with 2008 Ruston High School graduate Josh Brown. Others include James “Deuce” Johnson (North Hills, Calif.) and Scott Farrington (Nassau, Bahamas).
“I am really excited about this class,” Rupp said. “Similar to what we accomplished the past few years, we have brought in another versatile class that fills multiple positions. We feel with the loss of four seniors who will all play significant minutes, that it was important to bring in an experienced class. This group will give us depth, toughness and athleticism as we continue to build this program.”
Originally from Canada, Wright is a 6-8, 240-pound wing-forward out of Toronto Academy Preparatory School. He started for Salt Lake Community College as a freshman and led them to the NJCAA National Title. Wright was named the tournament MVP and was a first team All-American. He is in his sophomore season at Mt. San Jacinto College in California.
“DJ is the highest-ranked player in this class,” Rupp said. “He is a big time wing player who gives us more length, great scoring ability and versatility. He also possesses an outstanding shooting touch and the ability to make the big play at key times in the game.”
Brown is a 6-4, 190-pound wing and has started both years at Odessa College in Texas. He averaged 24.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game at Ruston High School earning him first-team 5A all-state in Louisiana. He was also an All-American nominee.
“Josh gives us an athletic, big-time wing player with a ton of energy and bounce,” Rupp said.
Johnson is a 6-7, 240-pound power forward out of Campbell Hall in the Los Angeles, Calif. area. He earned first-team conference as a freshman and sophomore and helped lead his team to state championships in those years. He was named All-CIF and a finalist for conference player of the year as a junior after averaging 18 points and 11 rebounds.
“Deuce will bring freshness and youthful energy, along with the skills necessary to help us in the post immediately,” Rupp said.
Farrington is a 6-8, 220-pound power forward and is in his sophomore season at Odessa College. He attended Rodgers State as a freshman after graduating from high school at Christian Life Center Academy in Houston. While at CLCA, Farrington averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as a senior. During the summer of 2006, he played for the Bahamas FIBA Americas U18 Championships team and averaged 5.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in four games.
“Scotty is a very athletic player who can run, rebound, score and block shots,” Rupp said. “All the things we require from our post players.”
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