Second Half Energy Boosts @SFA_MBB Over LSU-Alexandria

Sunday, December 6

Nacogdoches, Texas

4:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

3-0,0-0Southland

LSU-Alexandria

0-1

LSU-Alexandria

SFA

Pilgrim's Player of the Game, Cameron Johnson (12-19 FG, five rebounds) on the night vs. LSU-Alexandria.

Photo by: Evan Luecke

Second Half Energy Boosts @SFA_MBB Over LSU-Alexandria

12/6/2020 7:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Chelsea Groves | SFA Strategic Communications

NACOGDOCHES, Texas --

The entire 40 minutes came into play for both programs as SFA captures a 97-79 win Sunday afternoon. The Lumberjacks (3-0) trailed 39-40 at the half, but shot 67.7% from the floor in the 2^nd half to secure another victory at home.

Pilgrim's Player of the Game Cameron Johnson had a season-high 29 points (12-29 FG) and five rebounds, including Nigel Hawkins with 18 points (5-12) off the bench, Calvin Solomon with 15 points (4-6 FG) and 13 rebounds, and Roti Ware scoring 12 points (6-14 FG).

Johnson was hot in the first three minutes of the 1^st half, with a quick eight points from the senior guard as the Lumberjacks took an early 10-2 lead against the Generals. LSUA called a 30 second timeout shortly after the opening run, and was able to convert on a few fast break buckets cutting the 'Jacks lead to five, with the tally at 11-6.

Coach Keller called a timeout of his own to rally his group, and his team converted on their next possession with a put-back layup from Charlie Daniels, and a floater from Roti Ware to put their lead back up to nine. The Generals were able to get within one point a handful of times halfway through the 1st half, and eventually took a one-point lead with 8:40 on the clock. The combination of a Nigel Hawkins slashing left-handed layup and making one of two free throws the next time down the floor gave the Lumberjacks a 24-22 lead, as they cliched a 32-31 lead at the final media timeout. But, bench points were critical for the Generals, outscoring the 'Jacks 29-10, in addition to 15 fast break points. The visitors squeaked a 40-39 lead at the end of one shooting 48 percent from the field.

Cameron Johnson kept it rolling with 22 points already in the contest with a layup to give the 'Jacks a one-point lead (41-40) to kick off the 2^nd half, along with two David Kachelries layups which made it a five-point game at 17 minutes to go. In a two-minute span midway through the 2^nd half, the Lumberjacks shot 8-9 from the field, extending the lead to double-digits (60-48) from a Nigel Hawkins 3-pointer. The next series of possessions consisted of Roti Ware finding Charlie Daniels all alone downlow for a layup, and Nana Antwi-Boasiako followed with a dunk.

Fast forward to 8 minutes to go (64-50): A "Lumberdunk" from Calvin Johnson put SFA up 72-65 with 3:38 left, and the 'Jacks were able to build momentum coming off of an 8-0 run in the previous 2:40. The final moments of the game belonged to SFA, pulling out an 97-79 win over LSU-Alexandria.

UP NEXT: The 'Jacks will play their first road game of the season on December 12^th at Louisiana Monroe with a 4:30 p.m. tipoff.

Tickets for the 2020-21 home season of SFA basketball are on sale now. To purchase, visit sfatickets.com or call the SFA ticket office at 936-468-5225. Stay tuned to sfajacks.com and the SFA basketball social media platforms for the most up-to-date information on schedule changes as the 2020-21 season progresses.