Stephen F. Austin
Jackson State
Jackson State Topples SFA
12/4/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 4, 2005
JACKSON, Miss. - After rallying to make a close contest of its game against Jackson State, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team came up just short Saturday, losing, 68-64, in the Williams Assembly Center. The Lumberjacks (3-2) spotted the Tigers (2-4) an early lead by shooting 27 percent in the first half. By the time SFA warmed up, it was too late for the Lumberjacks.
SFA opened the second half with an 11-2 run, capped by a steal and fast-break dunk from senior Anthony Paez that gave the Lumberjacks their first lead (36-35) since the game's opening minutes. Jackson State quickly retook the lead and extended it to as many as 13 points. SFA did not threaten again until freshman Josh Alexander knocked down a 3-pointer with 36 seconds left to make it a two-point game (64-62). But the Lumberjacks were forced to foul, and Jackson State was 4-for-4 from the foul stripe down the stretch to ice the win.
The Lumberjacks shot 46.9 percent after halftime, to boost their shooting percentage for the game to 38.9. Jackson State shot 45.1 percent from the field. The teams finished in a dead heat in rebounding with each grabbing 38 boards. SFA forced the Tigers into 17 turnovers, while the Lumberjacks gave up possession 13 times.
Alexander finished with 13 points, his fifth consecutive game to score in double figures. The freshman from Shreveport, La. Was 3-of-4 from 3-point range. Junior forward Antuane Miller led the 'Jacks with 20 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Anthony Paez added 11 points. Senior point guard Marcus Clark scored seven points and recorded seven assists to move into a tie for second place on the school's career assists list.
Jackson State's Trey Johnson scored a game-high 28 points, and Julius Young joined him in double figures with 14.
The Lumberjacks will be back in action Monday when they open a four-game home stand by hosting Alcorn State. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
- SFA -
