Stephen F. Austin
Austin Peay
SFA Throttles Governors, Wins Bracket
11/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LAS VEGAS, NEV. – Senior Jacob Parker recorded 19 points and six rebounds to lead the Stephen F. Austin men’s basketball team to an 83-62 win over Austin Peay on Friday afternoon inside Orleans Arena as part of the 2014 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational.
The Lumberjacks (3-3) closed their time in Las Vegas, posting a 2-0 record to win their respective bracket. Parker, who finished 8-of-14 from the field and 3-of-6 from behind the arc against the Governors (2-5), was named to the all-tournament team for his efforts.
Parker was one of three SFA players to finish in double figures, as junior Thomas Walkup and senior Tanner Clayton joined the native of Bixby, Okla. Walkup recorded 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while Clayton finished with 12 points, hitting 5-of-6 shots from the floor. Both Walkup and Clayton were 2-of-2 from the free throw line. Clayton also pulled down six boards.
All 15 ‘Jacks saw action against AP, as SFA finished 31-of-49 (63.3%) from the field, 4-of-11 (36.4%) from 3-point land and 17-of-19 (89.5%) from the free throw line, their most efficient shooting performance from the charity stripe on the season.
The ‘Jacks never trailed across the entire game. After SFA and the Governors traded buckets in the first 1:09, Clayton hit a jumper to give the ‘Jacks a 4-2 edge, before the ‘Jacks built their lead up to 16, heading into the break up 44-28.
Free throws again set the tone of the game, as there was a combined 30 fouls in the first half, but SFA tipped the scale in its favor opening 11-11 from the free throw line. Junior Trey Pinkney, who finished with seven points, was 5-of-6 from the stripe in the first half, as seven ‘Jacks got a chance at a free bucket. All seven players recorded two free throws or more, with five finishing 2-for-2 in their lone trips.
The ‘Jacks surged in the second half, opening on a 12-2 run over the first 3:18 to take a 26-point advantage at 56-30. Despite a strong showing from AP’s Khalil Davis, who finished 19 points in the second half (25 total points), SFA’s lead only dipped never dipped below 19 in cruising to the 83-62 final.
The ‘Jacks, having closed the month of November with a 3-3 mark, will now get set to wrap up their five-game road swing and open the month of December at Memphis on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Tip inside FedExForum is set for 6 p.m. and will air on ESPNews.
-SFA-
