Stephen F. Austin
Mcneese St
'Jacks Lose To McNeese State, 65-49
2/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 9, 2002
CONTACT: Rob Meyers
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin closed out a four game homestand Saturday afternoon against the first place Cowboys of McNeese State, and came up short by a 65-49 margin. With the loss, SFA closed out the four game stand with a 2-2 mark and stand at 10-11, 7-7 in Southland Conference play.
SFA stayed close to the Cowboys throughout much of the first half, but led only once, that coming with 11:52 remaining in the first half of play. McNeese State came right back down the floor and regained the lead on a three pointer by Eldridge Lewis. The Cowboys never trailed again, although the 'Jacks did manage to cut the lead to only one with 1:10 to play in the first half. Neither team was able to put points on the board in the final minute of the first half.
The Cowboys came out behind senior Fred gentry in the second half of play and dominated both ends of the floor. McNeese State continued to distance themselves from the 'Jacks with Gentry leading the charge. Eighteen of Gentry's game high 22 points came in the second half of play. He also led McNeese State on the boards with a game high 15-rebounds.
Skip Jackson led the scoring for the Lumberjacks with 17-points, Percy Green added nine. Forward Stevin Ozier and guard Tim Simon led SFA on the boards with five rebounds each as McNeese State controlled the glass by outrebounding the Lumberjacks 44-32. SFA was only 18-49 (.367) from the field, while McNeese State shot just over 41% from the floor (23-56). The Cowboys were 5-15 from beyond the three point arc, with SFA connecting on only two of 15 attempts (.133). SFA also struggled at the foul line making only 11 of 23 free throw attempts.
The 'Jacks return to action Thursday night as they travel to Beaumont to take on Lamar at 7:00 p.m.
