Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls State*
Lumberjacks Fall to Nicholls State
1/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2006
THIBODAUX, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team fell to Nicholls State, 77-71, Thursday in Stopher Gymnasium in the Southland Conference opener for both teams. The loss is the second straight for SFA and leaves the Lumberjacks with a 7-4 record.
The Lumberjacks played Nicholls State dead even in the second half, with each team scoring 40 points. But SFA was hurt by a slow start. The 'Jacks shot 35 percent from the floor in the first half and finished at 39.4 percent for the contest. That showing marks the second straight game for SFA to shoot below 40 percent. The Colonels hit 51.9 percent of their field goals, led by guard Michael Czepil, who connected on 6-of-9 shots for a game-high 17 points. Four other Nicholls State players reached double figures, including Stefan Blaszczynski, who recorded 16 points.
The Lumberjacks were led by junior forward Antuane Miller's 16 points. Senior point guard Marcus Clark and junior guard Keith Hardaway each contributed 14 points. Clark also recorded five assists, leaving him just five shy of taking over the school's record for career assists. Freshman guard Josh Alexander scored nine points and saw his run of consecutive double-digit games end. The Shreveport, La. native had scored in double figures in each of the Lumberjacks' first 10 games.
SFA will continue Southland Conference action Saturday, when the 'Jacks head to Hammond, La. to take on Southeastern Louisiana. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
- SFA -
