'Jacks Fall Short Against Southern Utah

Saturday, January 14

Cedar City, Utah

2:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

Southern Utah

'Jacks Fall Short Against Southern Utah

1/14/2023 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Colby Jackson, SFA Student Assistant for Strategic Communication

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah defeated Stephen F. Austin 67-58 which ends SFA's 15-game conference winning streak. The Lumberjacks fall to 13-6 (5-1 WAC) and the Thunderbirds improve to match the 'Jacks at 13-6 (5-1 WAC).

What was another strong defensive first half by the 'Jacks, was overshadowed once again by the same miscues from the end of their last game against the Trailblazers. In the first three minutes of the game, they were able to go up on a 4-0 lead and held the Thunderbirds from scoring. However, the Lumberjacks committed eight fouls and five turnovers in the first six minutes of the game. That allowed the Thunderbirds to go on a ten-point run and gain all the momentum for the half. In the first half, the 'Jacks committed a total of 14 fouls and nine turnovers.

The Lumberjacks struggled to find their groove in the first 20 minutes, only making 33.3% of their shots. Fortunately, their defense was able to keep them in the game as they forced the Thunderbirds to turn the ball over 13 times and drew eight fouls. Both sides were unable to grow a double-digit lead in the first half.

The last two and a half minutes showed a hopeful sign of things to come as they went into halftime with a 10-4 run thanks to some clutch threes from Latrell Jossell and AJ Cajuste.

Cajuste picked up where he left off and started the second half with a quick three and led the Lumberjacks to a 16-8 run in the first seven minutes and gave the 'Jacks their biggest lead of the game at 45-39. Unfortunately, the Thunderbird's offense responded quickly and within the next six minutes, they went on a 17-2 run which put them back in the lead 56-47. The 'Jacks were not done yet, as they able to shrink the deficit to three points after going on a small six-point run. However, the offense failed to get any sort of momentum going in the final six minutes and eventually fell to Southern Utah, giving the Lumberjacks their first conference loss in nearly a year and first loss in eight games.

Cajuste and Jaylin Jackson-Posey were the only two Lumberjacks able to score double-digits on the day, Cajuste leading the way with 11 points. Sadaidriene Hall led the team with eight rebounds, while Jossell led the team with four assists and tied Nana Antwi-Boasiako with three steals.

The Lumberjacks were able to beat the Thunderbirds in: three-point percentage (41.2-32.0), free-throw percentage (90.0-62.2), turnovers forced (20-17), bench points (25-13), steals (11-6), and second chance points (11-8).

The Lumberjacks looks to get back in the win column in their first Battle of the Piney Woods matchup against Sam Houston in Huntsville this Thursday the 19th. Tipoff at 6:30 p.m.