Stephen F. Austin
Prairie View A&M
`Jacks Snap Losing Streak Against PVAMU, 73-61
11/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The Stephen F. Austin men’s basketball team snapped their three-game losing streak in a 73-61 triumph over Prairie View A&M on Thursday night inside Orleans Arena as part of the 2014 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.
The Lumberjacks (2-3) picked up their first win since their season-opener against Mississippi College (Nov. 14), holding off a late comeback attempt by the Panthers (0-6), who were playing their sixth consecutive game away from home.
Senior Jacob Parker paced SFA, recording 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The native of Bixby, Oklahoma, drained his lone 3-point attempt and also finished a perfect 3-of-3 from the line.
Junior Thomas Walkup joined Parker in double figures with 10 points, mostly on a 6-of-8 showing from the charity stripe, as seniors Tanner Clayton and Connor Brooks each finished with nine points, respectfully. Clayton also led SFA at the glass, pulling down six boards in his first start for the ‘Jacks.
Twelve of the 13 SFA players who saw time, recorded at least two points against PVAMU.
The ‘Jacks outscored the Panthers 16-12 in the paint, 15-10 off turnovers, 7-2 in second chance opportunities and 15-6 off the bench.
There were a combined 31 fouls between the two teams in the first half, as the game quickly turned into a free throw contest. Both squads hit 14 attempts, as only once in the first 20 minutes was a team able to string together consecutive field goals with Clayton recording a layup and Brooks hitting a 3-pointer, the lone of the first half in the 17th minute of play, before SFA eventually took a 33-28 lead into the break.
Out of the locker room, the ‘Jacks opened the second half on a 24-9 run to take a 20-point lead on PVAMU, going up 57-37 with 9:56 to go. The lead didn’t dip below double figures until the final minute of play when Panther John Brisco recorded a 3-pointer that cut it to 70-61 with 29 seconds remaining. However, SFA got a free throw from junior Clide Geffrard and a dunk from senior Bobby King the rest of the way to take the 73-61 final.
The ‘Jacks will be back in action tomorrow in the championship match of its bracket against Austin Peay. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.
-SFA-
