Stephen F. Austin
Lamar
SFA Continues Road Struggles
2/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2004
BEAUMONT, Texas -- Antonio Burks scored a career high 35 points Wednesday night for SFA, but it wasn't enough as the 'Jacks fell to Lamar, 63-60, in Beaumont. Stephen F. Austin (16-8, 7-6) dropped its eighth straight road game in losing to Lamar after rallying from a 12-point halftime deficit.
The 'Jacks have now lost six conference games, all on the road, by a total of 15 points. Burks had the hot hand for SFA in leading the comeback scoring 23 of his career high 35 points in the second half of play. The Texarkana, Ark. senior also had a career high 12 rebounds to post the double-double for the 'Jacks. He led SFA in both categories.
SFA got off to a horrible start missing on the first seven attempts from the field in allowing Lamar to get out to an early 12-4 lead. Lamar built the first half lead to as many as 14 points on two occasions before going in at the half leading 38-26. The second half was a total reversal however as Lamar missed its first five from the floor and was forced into three early turnovers. SFA trimmed the lead back to six points on a jumper from Burks with 17:11 left in the game. Burks hit another jumper at the 15:07 mark to cut the lead to only four, 41-37 before the Cardinals reeled off eight unanswered points to stretch the lead back to 10 with 14:01 to play.
The Cardinals led by 12 points, 56-44 with 9:07 to play when the 'Jacks went on a 13-0 run to take a 57-56 lead at the 3:13 mark. Lamar immediately answered with a Blake Whittle lay-up and a Gil Goodrich three pointer to stretch the lead back to four points with 1:12 to go. Burks then hit his seventh three pointer of the night with :29 to play to cut the lead back to one. SFA fouled Whittle who went to the line and made both ends of the one and one for the final margin.
SFA ended the night shooting .357 (25-70) from the field while Lamar shot .397 (23-58). The Cardinals were nine of 19 however from behind the three point line (.474). Lamar also outscored the 'Jacks 8-1 at the foul line.
