'Jacks Host League-Leading Demons
2/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 3, 2006
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Lamar and Northwestern State began last Saturday in a tie atop the Southland Conference Standings. By the end of the day, Stephen F. Austin had knocked off Lamar, 72-54. The Lumberjacks (10-8, 3-5) will try to do the same to Northwestern State Saturday, when the Demons travel to Nacogdoches for a 4 p.m. game in the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
LAST GAME: Following back-to-back home losses, the Lumberjacks got back on track in a huge way last Saturday, defeating Lamar, 72-54, on the road. Lamar came into the contest tied for first in the Southland Conference and riding a five-game winning streak. But SFA held the highest-scoring team in the league to its second-lowest output of the season. Four Lumberjacks scored in double figures, led by freshman guard Josh Alexander's 19 points.
VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE: The Lumberjacks trail the all-time series against Northwestern State with a 45-55 record. SFA is an even 5-5 against the Demons under head coach Danny Kaspar. Northwestern State swept the season series last year, but SFA has won five of the last eight meetings between the two schools.
THE DEMONS: Northwestern State was the consensus preseason pick to win the Southland Conference, and, so far, the Demons are proving the pollsters right. Northwestern State enters Saturday's game with a 14-6 overall record and an SLC-leading 7-1 league mark. The Demons have won four in a row and seven of their last eight.
THE COACHES: Danny Kaspar is in his sixth season as head coach of the Lumberjacks. Including a nine-year stint as head coach at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Kaspar is 305-124 (.711) over his 14-year coaching career. Kaspar has guided the Lumberjacks to an 86-72 (.544) mark during his tenure. Northwestern State head coach Mike McConathy has compiled a 101-100 (.502) record in six-plus seasons with the Demons. He is 453-259 (.636) in over 22 years as a head coach.
UP NEXT: The Lumberjacks will travel to Monroe, La. on Thursday, Feb. 9 to take on the Indians of Louisiana-Monroe. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. from Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
NOTE: For complete game notes, click on the "Weekly Release" link in the side bar of the men's basketball home page.
- SFA - ™
