Stephen F. Austin
Sam Houston
'Jacks Advance With 86-53 Thumping Of Sam Houston
3/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 8, 2004
NACOGDOCHES, Texas-- Dedrick Sanders continued his strong play of late with a 17-point, eight rebound effort to lead Stephen F. Austin (20-8) to an 85-53 pasting of Sam Houston (13-15) in the first round of the Southland Conference Postseason tournament Monday night in the coliseum. The win extends SFA's home court winning streak to 30 consecutive games, the nation's longest home court winning streak and advances the 'Jacks to the semi-finals of the SLC tournament Wednesday night.
The 'Jacks took the lead for good with a Hank Rivers lay-up with 17:07 to play and quickly stretched the lead to 12 points by scoring 13 unanswered points. Sam Houston found itself down by double digits with over 13 minutes remaining in the first half and never seriously challenged the 'Jacks again. SFA built the lead to 19 points at the half, taking a 41-22 lead into the locker room at the half.
Marcus Clark opened the second half with consecutive three-pointers in giving the 'Jacks a 25-point lead, 47-22 just over a minute into the second half. SFA built the lead to 30 with over seven minutes to play and cruised to the 85-53 win.
Sanders led SFA with 17 while Hank Rivers added 11 and Antonio Burks and Jasen Gast had 10 points each. SFA was led on the boards by Sanders with eight rebounds as the 'Jacks out-rebounded Sam Houston 38-27 on the night. SFA forced 20 Sam Houston turnovers converting them into 28 points while Sam Houston forced the 'Jacks into 10 turnovers and scored 11 points off those miscues.
Every man on the 'Jacks roster scored at least two points in the contest.
SFA advances to the semi-final round of the Southland Conference postseason tournament Wednesday night against top seed UT-Arlington. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Texas Hall on the UT-Arlington campus. SFA was 1-1 against the Mavericks this year with each team winning on its home court.
