Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian (exhibition)
SFA Tops Abilene Christian
11/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 5, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Junior center Matt Kingsley scored 26 points Monday as Stephen F. Austin knocked off Abilene Christian, 71-61, in its exhibition opener at the William R. Johnson Coliseum.
Kingsley put on a shooting clinic, hitting 9-of-11 from the floor to lead a 48-percent shooting effort by the Lumberjacks. Classmate Josh Alexander poured in 20 points on 5-of-11 shooting from 3-point range to spearhead a 37-percent night for SFA from beyond the arc.
SFA trailed by as many as five in the first half, but took a 27-26 lead at the 7:03 mark on a pair of free throws by Kinglsey. That sparked an 11-0 SFA run, led by six points from junior forward Nick Shaw. After Shaw's layup at the 3:41 mark, the Lumberjacks held a 37-27 lead. SFA would not trail again in the game. The Lumberjacks built their advantage to as many as 22 points in the second half and held ACU at arm's length down the stretch.
Kingsley just missed a double-double, pulling down nine rebounds to lead the Lumberjacks, who beat the Wildcats on the boards, 37-33. Shaw was next in line with four rebounds to go along with his seven points. Sophomore point guard Eric Bell and junior center Benson Akpan added six points apiece, while senior guard Gerald Fonzie chipped in with five.
The Lumberjacks will open the regular season Friday, when they host Texas-Tyler in a 7 p.m. contest.
- SFA -
