Stephen F. Austin
Mcneese State*
SFA Knocks Off McNeese State
1/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2007
LAKE CHARLES, La. - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks used a hot-shooting first half to build a big lead then weathered a second-half storm from McNeese State to collect a 67-53 win over the Cowboys Saturday afternoon in Burton Coliseum. The victory is SFA's sixth straight, the longest winning steak for the Lumberjacks since they won 13 in a row in the 2002-03 season. SFA (11-5) is also out to a 4-0 start in Southland Conference play for just the second time since joining the league.
The Lumberjacks shot 65 percent in the first half in building a 34-22 lead at the break. SFA then saw that advantage evaporate quickly in the second period, as the Lumberjacks opened the half in a 2-for-15 slump from the field, and McNeese State took advantage. The Cowboys tied the score on a dunk by Jarvis Bradley with 12:37 left, but SFA got the lead right back when Bradley was whistled for a technical foul for hanging on the rim a beat too long.
SFA took advantage, with Keith Hardaway hitting the free throws at the other end to go ahead, 40-38. The game was a back-and-forth struggle for the next few minutes until sophomore forward Josh Alexander took the Lumberjacks from a three-point lead to an eight-point advantage with a layup and a 3-pointer on consecutive possessions. The scoring flurry put SFA ahead, 52-44, with 6:11 left.
The Lumberjacks steadily padded their lead down the stretch, led by senior guard Will Johnson, who scored nine of his career-high 12 points over the game's final four minutes. Johnson tied with sophomore center Matt Kingsley for the team lead. Alexander finished with 10 points and a team-best seven rebounds.
Troy Aaron scored 13 points to pace the Cowboys (6-11, 1-2).
SFA will return to action Thursday, when the Lumberjacks host SLC West rival Sam Houston State. The game against the Bearkats is set for a 7 p.m. start from the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
- SFA -
