Stephen F. Austin
Longwood
`Jacks Cruise Past Longwood
11/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2010
Box Score |
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks forced Longwood into 24 turnovers and won going away, 80-54, Monday night in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. It marked the second straight game for the Lumberjack defense to rack up more than 20 takeaways, and SFA took advantage, outscoring the Lancers, 29-14, in points off turnovers.
The Lumberjacks (2-0) have now won 22 of their last 23 home, non-conference matchups. Longwood falls to 0-2 with the defeat.
SFA shot better than 45 percent for the second straight game, and junior center Jereal Scott led the `Jacks in scoring for the second time in as many contests. He scored 15 points and pulled down five rebounds in 24 minutes of action on a night when every SFA player on the bench played at least eight minutes.
The Lumberjacks trailed, 22-21, with 4:32 to play in the first period. But senior Jordan Glynn put SFA ahead on two free throws with 3:55 to play, and the `Jacks closed out the half on a 13-2 run to take a 10-point lead to the locker room. Antonio Bostic came off the bench to hit a jumper and a 3-pointer during the run, and Dion Prewster closed it with a triple in the final seconds.
The `Jacks outscored the Lancers 6-0 in transition in the opening period with Eddie Williams, Mark Gomillia and Bostic each hitting a fast-break bucket.
SFA really poured on the defense after halftime. Longwood had early success with the 3-pointer, connecting on three of their first eight attempts. But the `Jacks held the Lancers to a 1-for-12 effort the rest of the way (1-for-9 in the second half) and forced 14 second-half turnovers.
At the other end of the court, SFA shot nearly 47 percent from the floor and got to the free throw line 18 times in the second period, connecting on 14. The Lancers cut the lead to nine once in the first two minutes of the half, but SFA rattled off an 18-6 run to push its advantage over 20 points, and the `Jacks never looked back.
Bostic finished with 11 points and two steals. Senior point guard Denzel Barnes matched the career-high seven assists he dished out in the season opener and added six points. His backup, freshman Darius Gardner came off the bench to score 13 points in 13 minutes. Gardner was perfect on the night, hitting all 10 of his free throws and the only 3-pointer he attempted.
Senior Mark Gomillia scored eight points on 4-of-4 shooting. Williams joined Barnes with six points and added two steals and two assists. Prewster and freshman Desmond Haymon each scored five, and Prewster added five rebounds. Glynn and Brandon Cutler led all players with seven boards each.
David Robinson came off the bench to score a team-best 11 points for Longwood and was the only Lancer to reach double figures. The Lancers shot just 37 percent for the game, three days after knocking down 45 percent of their shots against No. 7 Kansas.
SFA will play its first road game of the season Friday. The Lumberjacks travel to Lubbock, Texas, to take on Texas Tech in the first of two straight contests away from home. The game against the Red Raiders is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
-- SFA --
