Stephen F. Austin
28-3,19-1Southland
Sam Houston State
18-13,11-9Southland
Lumberjack Basketball Sends Off Trio of Sensational Seniors with 68-57 Senior Night Victory
3/7/2020 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, TX -- Gavin Kensmil registered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the SFA men's basketball team past the Sam Houston State Bearkats 68-57 at home Saturday. SFA improved to 28-3 overall and 19-1 in play after the win. The game was a bittersweet affair for a trio of SFA seniors in Kevon Harris, John Comeaux and Nathan Bain, who played their final regular season home game inside William R. Johnson Coliseum in a memorable send-off.
SFA also recognized student managers Grant Pederson and Nathan Sabo as part of the Senior Day festivities.
The 'Jacks had three players score in double figures, led by Kensmil, who put together a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Cameron Johnson added 13 points off of the bench and Roti Ware chipped in as well with 13 points.
Led by Kensmil's seven offensive rebounds, SFA did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 13 boards that resulted in 18 second chance points.
SFA's defense held Sam Houston State to only 37% shooting from the field, including 22.2% from beyond the arc. The 'Jacks also limited Zach Nutall to 3-of-14 shooting and 10 points in the game.
INSIDE THE BOX
» Gavin Kensmil notched a double-double for the 'Jacks with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
» The 'Jacks held the Bearkats to only 37% shooting from the field.
» SFA had a 41-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The SFA defense forced 25 turnovers.
» The 'Jacks were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording seven blocks as a team.
» SFA cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» SFA shot 43 percent from the field in the game but was 2/2 in the field of love, as the game featured two successful marriage proposals. The game ball was delivered by an SFA ROTC cadet, who then capped off the momentous entrance by proposing to his girlfriend to applause from the crowd. Not to be outdone, senior Nathan Bain used his Senior Day microphone time to issue a tearful, joyous proposal to longtime girlfriend Lyndsee.
GAME SUMMARY
After jumping out to a 23-22 advantage, SFA went on a 5-0 run with 6:11 left in the first half to increase its lead to 28-22. The 'Jacks then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 35-34 advantage. SFA capitalized on 12 Sam Houston State turnovers in the period, turning them into 12 points on the other end of the floor.
Sam Houston State proceeded to take a 45-40 lead before SFA went on a 16-0 run to seize a 56-45 lead with 5:33 to go in the contest. The 'Jacks held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 68-57 win. SFA took care of business in the paint, recording 22 of its 33 points in the lane.
NEXT UP
The 'Jacks are back in action at the Southland Conference Tournament next week, where they will enjoy a double-bye to the semifinals thanks to being the top seed in the tournament.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
