Stephen F. Austin
UT-Arlington*
SFA Snaps Skid With 66-58 Win Over UT-Arlington
2/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2005
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Marcus Clark took over in the second half and scored 20 of his game high 25 points after halftime in leading the SFA Lumberjacks (12-12, 6-7) to a 66-58 win over UT-Arlington (12-12, 6-7) Thursday night. Clark's explosion helped the Lumberjacks break open a two point game at the half to lead by as many as 12 points in the second half and move to the win. The win snaps a three game losing streak for SFA and moves the Lumberjacks into a tie with UT-Arlington and McNeese State at 6-7 in the SLC standings in sixth place.
Josh Porter made a lay-up as time expired in the first half to give the Lumberjacks a 28-26 lead at the half and SFA never trailed in the second half as Leonard Brown hit a three-pointer in the opening minute of the second half to stretch the lead to five points.
The Lumberjack defense stepped it up Thursday and held UTA's Steven Thomas to a season low six points in 24 minutes of play. Thomas did lead UTA on the boards with seven rebounds, but was only 2-for-5 from the field and 2-for-3 at the free throw line to finish with his season low. Larry Posey led the Mavericks with 16 points off the bench.
UT-Arlington attempted only 13 field goals in the first half of play, but connected on eight attempts to shoot .615 in the first half. The 'Jacks held them to only 38.9 percent from the floor in the second half and stepped up their offensive game to connect on 13-of-27 second half shots (.481) to end the night at 23-55 (.418).
Anthony Paez added 15 points and Josh Porter finished with 10 for the Lumberjacks. Paez also led SFA with a game high eight rebounds as the 'Jacks outrebounded UT-Arlington 30-26 for the game. SFA is now 11-3 when outrebounding an opponent.
The Lumberjacks are on the road Saturday to take on Northwestern State, in Natchitoches, La. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.
