Career-High Night From Johnson Lifts @SFA_MBB Past Midwestern State, 87-71

Friday, January 8

Nacogdoches, Texas

6:30 PM

Stephen F. Austin

5-2,1-0Southland

Midwestern State

5-1,5-1Lone Star

Midwestern St.

SFA

Career-High Night From Johnson Lifts @SFA_MBB Past Midwestern State, 87-71

1/8/2021 9:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Chelsea Groves | SFA Athletics Strategic Communications

NACOGDOCHES, Texas --

SFA (5-2, 1-0 SLC) was tested down the stretch by the Midwestern State Mustangs Friday night, outscoring its opponent 44-31 in the second half, shooting 54.5 percent overall on the outing. The Lumberjacks held a slim 43-40 lead heading into intermission, but were led by Pilgrim's Player of the Game Cameron Johnson with an impressive stat line of 36 points (13-16 FG, 2-3 3-PT., 8-11 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal.

1st HALF
With the Lumberjacks holding a three point lead at the break, every mini-run counted for both teams. The Mustangs trailed 27-26 after completing a 12-2 run at 6:13, but SFA responded back with a 6-0 run to put the lead back up to 33-26 at the under-5 media timeout. The Lumberjacks's lead was up to seven points after a Cameron Johnson bucket with under two minutes to play, quickly matched by a trey on the other end making it 40-38 SFA with 44 seconds to play. A basket and made free throw gave the Lumberjacks a 43-40 lead after the first 20 minutes. Johnson had 20 points in the game thus far, followed by Deandre Heckard's eight points and Gavin Kensmil's seven points.

2nd HALF
Roti Ware converted on a triple and Cameron Johnson nailed a jumper in the first minute of the second half, where the Lumberjacks gained momentum from a quick start out of the locker room. SFA went 3-3 from deep and 4-6 from the field at the 15:31 media timeout, putting the Lumberjacks up 54-42. The largest lead for the Lumberjacks during the course of the game was 16 points at 11:03 to play, but was cut to 71-61 at 6:32. The Mustangs had three starters in double-figures, but the Lumberjacks were a challenge to handle after the career-high performance from Cameron Johnson, in addition to Kensmil scoring 17 points and Heckard with 11 points. SFA forced 19 Midwestern State turnovers, compared to its 9 on the night.

UP NEXT
The Lumberjacks will continue Southland Conference play on Wednesday, January 13th against Central Arkansas at William R. Johnson Coliseum. Tip is set for 6:30 p.m.