RUSTON — After a four-year hiatus, Louisiana Tech and Louisiana will renew the oldest rivalry in program history on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Assembly Center.

The rivalry dates back all the way to the first ever basketball season for the Bulldogs in 1926 when La. Tech (6-1) came out on the winning end twice. In the 86 years of basketball played at LA Tech, there has only been eight seasons where the Bulldogs and Ragin’ Cajuns did not play each other on the hardwood.

The Bulldogs have won 19 straight home games in the friendly confines of the Thomas Assembly Center dating back to 2011, the sixth longest active streak in the country behind only Missouri (22), Middle Tennessee (21), Duke (21), Florida (20) and Stephen F. Austin (20).

Not only have the ‘Dogs won, they have won in dominating fashion by an average scoring margin of 21.1 points.

“We are definitely excited to be back in the TAC and in front of our fans,” said head coach Michael White. “It was a long nine days on the road.”

LA Tech is currently on a six-game winning streak after a 72-61 victory at Jackson State. Alex Hamilton came up big on offense with a game-high 24 points and on defense with three steals.

Jackson State pulled to within three points four minutes into the second half, but LA Tech pulled away by using a 16-0 run and holding the Tigers scoreless for almost eight minutes of action.

The Ragin’ Cajuns carry into the contest a three-game winning streak after toppling 2013 Northwestern State, 105-74.

UL (5-2) is off to a quality start in 2013-14, benefiting from the return of all five starters and a total of 10 lettermen from last year’s squad that went 13-20, led by fourth-year head coach Bob Marlin.

Their two losses have come at the hands of Arkansas and Baylor.

The team is centered around the duo of point guard Elfrid Payton and forward Shawn Long, both of whom were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt first team this year.

“UL has perhaps the best inside-outside duo that we’ll face all year in Payton and Long,” said White. “Both are extremely talented players and they complement each other very well. They both have proven to be very difficult to defend.”