Stephen F. Austin
Houston Baptist
Lumberjacks Collar Huskies
11/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 29, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team rolled to a 91-66 win over Houston Baptist Tuesday night in the William R. Johnson Coliseum behind a career night from junior transfer Antuane Miller. Miller, a 6-6, 255-pound forward from Washington, D.C., scored a career-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting to lead the 'Jacks to their third win of the season.
The Lumberjacks (3-1) opened sluggishly, missing nine of their first 15 shots from the field. Houston Baptist (4-1) took advantage and led by as many as eight points early on. But Miller scored seven points in the game's first six minutes to help SFA keep pace, and freshman Josh Alexander hit the first of his four 3-pointers with 13:41 left in the half to put the Lumberjacks in the lead. SFA caught fire and finished the first half shooting 56.8 percent from the field. The Lumberjacks would not trail again and led by as many as 26 before all was said and done.
SFA finished the contest shooting 50 percent, while holding Houston Baptist to 45 percent shooting, including a 32 percent showing in the second half. The Lumberjacks also had a solid night at the foul line. One game removed from an 0-for-5 performance at the free throw line in a loss to Kansas State, the 'Jacks knocked down 19-of-28 opportunities from the foul stripe against Houston Baptist. Miller did plenty of damage from the line, where he was 8-of-11. SFA was aggressive on defense, forcing the Huskies into 21 turnovers. Senior point guard Marcus Clark led the defensive effort with four steals. Clark also dished out nine assists.
Alexander went 4-of-4 from 3-point range and finished with 14 points to extend his run of double-digit performances to four straight. Senior forward Anthony Paez joined Alexander and Miller in double figures with 13 points. Junior transfer Todd Henry connected on 6-of-8 free throws to finish with eight points. Paez, Henry and redshirt freshman Matt Kingsley tied for the team lead in rebounds with six boards apiece.
SFA will return to the court Saturday, when the Lumberjacks travel to Jackson, Miss. to take on Jackson State. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. The Lumberjacks will return to Johnson Coliseum Monday to open a four-game home stand with a 7 p.m. game against Alcorn State.
- SFA -
