SFA Opens SLC Play Against Colonels
1/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Conference Opener: The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack basketball team will open Southland Conference play Thursday, when it hosts Nicholls State. The contest is slated to tip off at 7 p.m. in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The Lumberjacks are 3-3 in SLC openers under head coach Danny Kaspar.
Last Game: The Lumberjacks picked up their second straight win last Saturday, knocking off Howard Payne, 89-63. After a sluggish start that saw them trail the Yellow Jackets, 42-41, at the half, the 'Jacks rallied and quickly took command in the second period. SFA was a perfect 20-for-20 from the free throw line, tying the school record for free throw percentage that was set against South Florida in 2004. Josh Alexander was 9-of-9 on foul shots and finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth career double-double. Four other Lumberjacks -- Scott Weaver, Matt Kingsley, Kyle Jacobs and Trevor Guy -- hit double digits in scoring, marking the first time this season for five SFA players to break into double figures.
vs. Nicholls State: SFA is 26-20 all-time against the Colonels. The Lumberjacks have won eight of the last 10 meetings, including a split of the season series last year with each team winning on its home court. SFA is 8-2 against Nicholls State under head coach Danny Kaspar.
The Colonels: Nicholls State enters Thursday's game with a 1-13 record. The Colonels have played perhaps the toughest non-conference schedule in the Southland. The list of foes includes five Southeastern Conference teams, as well as Texas and Washington, and 12 of the Colonels' 14 games have been away from home. Nicholls State's lone win this season was a 76-63 decision at home against Xavier.
The Coaches: Danny Kaspar is in his seventh season as the head basketball coach at SFA. Kaspar is 100-81 (.552) in his time with the Lumberjacks. He is 319-133 (.706) in 15 seasons as a collegiate head coach. The Colonels are coached by J.P. Piper. He is 16-52 (.235) in his third year at Nicholls State.
Up Next: The Lumberjacks close out their longest home stand of the season -- four games -- when they entertain Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. The game against the Lions is set to start at 6 p.m. in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Next week, SFA will be on the road, taking on Lamar on Jan. 11 and meeting McNeese State on Jan. 13.
