Ware and Kensmil Lead Lumberjacks In Overtime Tussle at Lamar, 88-83

Saturday, February 27

Beaumont, TX

4:30 PM

Stephen F. Austin

14-4,10-2Southland

Lamar University

6-17,4-10Southland

OT 1

OT 2

SFA

Lamar University

Ware and Kensmil Lead Lumberjacks In Overtime Tussle at Lamar, 88-83

2/27/2021 9:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BEAUMONT, Texas -- The SFA men's basketball team battled a pesky Lamar team on Saturday in Beaumont through two overtime periods, eventually falling to the Cardinals by an 88-83 score. Lamar (6-17, 4-10 SLC) outscored the 'Jacks 9-4 in the second overtime period to pull away as the Lumberjacks were unable to hit potential game-winning shots at the end of regulation as well as the first overtime period.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After beating the redbirds by 30 points in the previous matchup between the two teams, SFA saw the Cardinals present a more formidable side on their home court. Lamar scored first in the contest and held tough with the heavily favored Lumberjacks through the first half, with neither team crafting a lead larger than five points until the 3:00 minute mark. Nigel Hawkins gave the 'Jacks a 38-30 lead with 2:40 remaining in the half with a three-point basket, but LU would close out the half on a 9-2 run to trim SFA's lead to just one point at the break.

In the second half, the hosts continued to hang tough with the 'Jacks, even as the visitors led most of the way. SFA would get its lead to as many as five points on two occasions with less than seven minutes to go in the half, but LU got consecutive layups late in regulation to take a 71-68 lead with under a minute left to play. Senior Roti Ware sank a game-tying three ball with 40 seconds left to go that made the score 71-71. After Lamar misfired on the other end of the court, SFA got the ball back with 18 seconds left in regulation, but Ware's jumper attempt to win it was off target and the game went to overtime.

In the first overtime period, SFA would take a 77-74 lead on a layup by David Kachelries with two minutes to play, and would lead 79-77 after a Kensmil layup with 40 ticks left on the clock. Out of a timeout, LU would score a wide-open dunk to tie the game at 79-79 and SFA's ensuing shot attempt was missed, ensuring a second overtime period. In the second OT, Lamar outscored the 'Jacks 9-4 and would clinch the result with four late free throws down the stretch.

LEADERS
Ware led all scorers with 24 points on 7-13 shooting (4-5 3-Pt), while Kensmil finished with a career-best 17 rebounds and 18 points. Ware also led the 'Jacks with five assists, while Kensmil posted three blocks. Lamar's David Muoka was a force down low, registering nine blocked shots in the contest.