Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern St.*
Second Half Spoils SLC Opener
1/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 7, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- SFA built an 11-point halftime lead, but could not hold it Thursday night as Northwestern State outscored the 'Jacks 46-29 after halftime to win the SLC opener for both teams.
Northwestern State (7-8,1-0) shot an even 60 percent in the second half and held the 'Jacks to only 40 percent from the field after halftime in picking up the win. The Demons took the lead for good on a free throw by Kerwin Forges with 9:43 remaining and held on for the win.
The 'Jacks got out on top behind the shooting of Anthony Paez and Josh Porter. Porter had 10 points at the break and Paez had nine. Porter hit two big three-point buckets in the early going that helped the 'Jacks to the lead. Paez finished the night with a game high 19 points, while Porter was held scoreless in the second half and ended with 10 points. Hank Rivers added 11 for the 'Jacks and also pulled down eight rebounds. Paez led SFA on the boards with nine. The Lumberjacks outrebounded the Demons 35-31 for the game.
The free throw line was a big factor in the loss as SFA shot only .438 (7-16) at the stripe for the game while Northwestern State went 12-17 (.706).
The Lumberjacks do not return to action until Jan. 13 against UL-Monroe, in Monroe, La.
