Lumberjacks Top Houston Baptist, 87-75
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team opened the 2006-07 season Tuesday night with an 87-75 exhibition win over Houston Baptist in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. All five Lumberjack starters reached double figures in scoring, but sophomore center Matt Kingsley came off the bench to lead all players with 19 points.
Kingsley hit 9-of-12 from the field to lead SFA to the win. Junior small forward Scott Weaver hit 3-of-3 baskets from 3-point range and 4-of-6 overall to finish with 11 points. Junior point guard Gerald Fonzie was also 3-for-3 from downtown and finished with 10 points. Sophomore Josh Alexander, senior Antuane Miller and senior Chaz Dykes scored 10 points each.
SFA opened slowly but went on a 19-5 run late in the first half to build a 21-point lead (40-19). The Lumberjacks hit eight consecutive baskets - including two 3-pointers by Weaver and one from Alexander - to stretch their advantage. The hot streak pulled SFA's field goal percentage to 53 percent for the half, and the Lumberjacks took a 46-28 lead to the locker room.
Houston Baptist made a run of its own early in the second half and steadily whittled the lead down to single digits (69-60) with 5:24 remaining. But Fonzie hit a 3-pointer to stop the bleeding, then ripped another trey through the net with four minutes left keep the Huskies at arm's length. Fonzie would strike again from long range one last time, and SFA hit 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
The Lumberjacks more than doubled Houston Baptist's effort on the boards, outrebounding the Huskies, 51-24. Alexander pulled down 11 rebounds to lead SFA. The Lumberjacks shot 51.5 percent from the floor, while holding HBU to 40 percent.
SFA will open the regular season Saturday, when the Lumberjacks host San Diego. The game against the Toreros is scheduled to tip off at 3 p.m. from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
-- SFA --
