Stephen F. Austin
Xavier
Xavier Ends SFA's Road Streak
11/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATTI, Ohio – The Stephen F. Austin men’s basketball team had their share of the nation’s longest active true road win streak end at 12 consecutive, falling 81-63 at Xavier on Friday night inside Cintas Center.
The ‘Jacks (1-2), playing their road opener, suffered their first two-game losing streak since the final two games of the 2012-13 season and first in the regular season since the 2011-12 season, when SFA dropped three consecutive in non-conference play (Prairie View A&M, 53-50; North Carolina Central, 65-57; Oregon, 55-45.), also later dropping two in league play (UTSA, 59-52; Texas-Arlington, 64-53).
Xavier (3-0) held the ‘Jacks to just a 37.9 mark from the field, while shooting 56.9 (33-of-58). SFA shot 25-of-66 from the field, 10-of-25 (40.0 %) from behind the arc and just 3-of-9 (33.3) from the line, a program-low in the Brad Underwood era.
Senior Jacob Parker led all, recording a game- and season-high 21 points across 29 minutes. The native of Bixby, Okla., finished 8-of-17 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3-point land.
SFA placed three in double figures in all, as junior Thomas Walkup and Ty Charles joined Parker, netting 17 and 10 points, respectfully. At the glass, senior Tanner Clayton led all with a season-high nine rebounds, while Walkup pulled down eight boards to tie his season-high set against Northern Iowa on Tuesday.
The Musketeers led the ‘Jacks 52-24 in points in the paint, 20-9 in fast break points and 18-11 off turnovers, while edging SFA 24-23 off the bench.
Despite a valiant effort by the ‘Jacks in the first half, Xavier lead for all but 35 seconds in taking a 39-32 lead into the break. Clayton tipped in a missed jumper to give SFA a 11-10 advantage, before the Musketeers answered with a 3-pointer two possessions later.
With 1:17 left, Walkup hit a pair of free throws to pull the ‘Jacks within two at 34-32, before the Xavier closed on a 5-0 run.
SFA kept fighting in the second half, eventually pulling within five points at 66-61 with 5:44 to play. The Musketeers answered however with a 15-0 run over the next 4:02 to stake themselves out front 81-61, the largest of the game, before Walkup dove on a loose ball and converted a layup in the final minute to arrive at the 81-63 final.
The ‘Jacks will look to bounce back and continue their road swing at Baylor on Monday, Nov. 24, in a 7 p.m. tip on Fox Sports Southwest.
-SFA-
