SFA On The Road Against McNeese State
2/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2004
TAKING ANOTHER SHOT: The Lumberjacks wrap up a three game road trip Wednesday in Lake Charles, La. against McNeese State, still looking for a Southland Conference road win. SFA plays four of its final six regular season games on the road, including Wednesday night's match-up. Hopes of winning a Southland Conference championship hinge upon finding a way to win on the road. With only six conference games remaining, the 'Jacks find themselves needing to get hot down the stretch to remain in contention for the conference title. The 'Jacks have lost four straight conference road games by a total of nine points. SFA will face off with teams ahead of them in the standings in only two of its final six games. The stretch drive for the Lumberjacks begins in Lake Charles, La. Wednesday night against a McNeese State team that is 5-3 at home this season.
LAST GAME: The Lumberjacks dropped a 71-67 decision to UT-Arlington Saturday before a regional television audience on Fox Sports Net. SFA lost for only the second time this season when leading at the half in falling to 15-6, 6-4 on the year. The 'Jacks led 33-26 at the half and seemed to be in control early in the second half, stretching the lead to 13 points, 48-35 with 13:22 to play. UTA then went on a 17-3 run over a span of 3:48 to take a 52-51 lead with 9:38 to play. The Mavericks made three straight three point baskets and got a bucket and a free throw before the 'Jacks answered the bell. The Mavericks ran their lead to as many as eight points with 3:45 to play before SFA got two 3-pointers inside the final two minutes from Marcus Clark to cut the lead to only one with 1:11 to go. The Mavericks then got a basket and a free throw from Derrick Obasohan with :31 to play for the final margin. The loss was the 'Jacks seventh in a row in Arlington.
VS. McNEESE STATE: McNeese State leads the overall series 33-29 and 20-11 since both teams joined the Southland Conference. SFA won earlier this year in Nacogdoches, 64-60 (see page 10 of this release for more information). The 'Jacks have lost three straight in Lake Charles and are 2-8 in the last 10 trips to Burton Coliseum.
THE COWBOYS: McNeese State enters Wednesday's game at 6-15, 2-8 and coming off a 77-72 home win over Lamar. The win over the Cardinals snapped a four game losing streak for McNeese State. The Cowboys play five of the final six games of the year at home. McNeese State is led by Edward Garriet's 14.8 ppg. Jerrick Oliver is adding 9.6 ppg, but has upped that total to 11.7 points per game in Southland Conference action. Oliver also leads the team on the boards with 6.0 rebounds per game. The Cowboys are eleventh in the SLC in field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot .477 from the field.
THE COACHES: The Lumberjacks are coached by Danny Kaspar (277-98) in his fourth year with the Lumberjacks. Kaspar is 58-46 at SFA. The fourth year head coach moved past Glen Rose into sixth place on the all time wins list with the win over UTSA. Next on the list is Ned Fowler with 78 wins. Kaspar is 2-5 against the Cowboys. McNeese State is coached by Tic Price, in his third year with the Cowboys. Price is 43-37 with the Cowboys.
UP NEXT: SFA returns to the coliseum for its only meeting of the year with Nicholls State (2/21). The 'Jacks then go to Lamar (2/25) and Sam Houston (2/28).
