Stephen F. Austin
Athletes First
'Jacks Win Exhibition Opener, 77-76
11/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2001
CONTACT: Rob Meyers
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team escaped Wednesday night with a 77-76 win in their exhibition opener over Athletes First at the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
The 'Jacks trailed 38-29 at the half, but stormed back in the second half to outscore Athletes First by ten points in the second half for the one point win. All five Lumberjack starters ended the night in double figures, with junior guard Skip Jackson leading the way with 18 points on a 7 of 11 shooting night. Jackson, a second year player from Beaumont, was also four of eight from beyond the three point arc in the game.
SFA took it's first lead of the second half at the 2:13 mark when Jackson knocked down a three-pointer to put the 'Jacks up 75-73. Edwin Tatum added a jumper at the 1:01 mark to give SFA a 75-73 lead after Athletes First had tied the game on a basket by Steve Ebbers. With five seconds remaining, James Mayden was fouled and went to the foul line with a chance to tie the game, but could only convert on one of two free throw attempts to pull Athletes First to within one at 77-76.
Chad Wilkerson led the exhibition squad with 20 points on the night as the former collegiate players shot just over 49 percent from the field in the contest. SFA shot an even 50 percent from the field and outrebounded their opponents 36-32.
The 'Jacks return to action Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. in the Coliseum with an exhibition game scheduled against Team Ezybonds, a touring team from Australia. Admission is free.
