Stephen F. Austin
Oral Roberts
Streaks Remain Intact In 83-72 Victory
3/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 6, 2014
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Led by a balanced offensive attack and key defensive stops, the Stephen F. Austin men's basketball team pulled away from Oral Roberts in the second half to notch an 83-72 victory on Thursday night inside William R. Johnson Coliseum.
The victory was the 32nd-straight for SFA (28-2, 17-0 SLC) on its home court, pulling into a tie with No. 4 Duke for the longest active streak in the nation. The ‘Jacks also recorded their 25th consecutive victory and improve to 17-0 in Southland Conference play, setting a program record for most wins in the Division I era and tying the league mark for most conference wins in a single season. SFA surpsees its 16 wins from last season and ties Sam Houston State (2002-03 - 23-7/17-3 SLC), McNeese State (2001-02 - 21-9/17-3), Nicholls State (1994-95 - 24-6/17-1 SLC) and Louisiana-Monroe (1992-93 - 26-5/17-1 SLC).
Nine different ‘Jacks recorded at least four points against ORU (16-14, 10-7 SLC), led by 16 points from sophomore Thomas Walkup. The native of Pasadena, Texas, finished 4-of-5 from the floor and was 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Senior Deshaunt Walker recorded 12 points off the bench, hitting three clutch three-pointers to help SFA extend its lead, never trailing on the night.
Senior Desmond Haymon added 10 points with five assists as senior Nikola Gajic, junior Tanner Clayton and sophomore Trey Pinkney, each scored nine points for the 'Jacks. Clayton was the SFA's leading rebounder, pulling in seven boards, with Pinkney dishing out a team-best six assists. Junior Jacob Parker also added eight points and six rebounds in the victory.
With the win, head coach Brad Underwood cracks the NCAA's top 10 best career starts at the Division I level pulling into a four-way tie with 28 victories, joining Keno Davis (Drake - 28-5, 2008), Mick Cronin (Murray State - 28-6, 2004) and Anthony Grant (VCU - 28-7, 2007).
The 'Jacks, despite losing the battle in the paint 30-28, held a 15-6 advantage in points off turnovers and a 17-13 edge in second-chance opportunities.
SFA opened on a 5-0 run and never relinquished the lead in the first half, as the Golden Eagles pulled ever on four occasions, to take a 43-40 lead in the locker room.
After made jumper from ORU's Shawn Glover opened the second half, Pinkney put together a 5-0 run for the 'Jacks with three made free throws and a layup to make it 48-42 (18:06). The lead then built to as much as 15 points (76-61), as the Golden Eagles never broke the double-figure lead the rest of the way.
SFA will close the regular season on Saturday, Mar. 8, with a 6:30 p.m. tilt with Central Arkansas on ESPN3. Before the game, the 'Jacks will recognize its three seniors - Desmond Haymon, Nikola Gajic and Deshaunt Walker.
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