SFA Wins First Conference Game in 79-74 OT Thriller

Saturday, December 2

Abilene, TX

5:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

5-3,1-1WAC

Abilene Christian University

3-5,0-2WAC

OT 1

SFA

Abilene Christian

SFA Wins First Conference Game in 79-74 OT Thriller

12/2/2023 8:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications

ABILENE, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (5-3, 1-1) traveled to Moody Coliseum to face off against the Abilene Christian Wildcats (3-5, 0-2).  SFA won their first conference game of the season as they defeated ACU 79-74 in overtime fashion.

Jalil Beaubrun won the opening tip for SFA.  SFA's defense got the game started off right as Chrishawn Christmas got the first steal of the night and scored on the fast break.  SFA got on the board first taking a 2-0 lead in the first minute of play.

The Lumberjacks got off to one of their hottest offensive starts of the year.  Latrell Jossell knocked down SFA's second three-pointer of the night and gave the 'Jacks a 10-6 lead with 15:37 left in the opening half.

Halfway through the first twenty minutes SFA led 14-13 over the Wildcats.  Frank Staine got his scoring started by posting seven consecutive points for the 'Jacks.  With 6:31 until halftime the Lumberjacks trailed 23-21.

Latrell Jossell's logo-jumper evened things up at 26-26.  With 2:16 remaining in the opening half SFA shot 57.1% from three-point range.  Jossell finished the first half as the Lumberjacks leading scorer (8).  Abilene Christian entered halftime with their largest lead of the night as they held a 32-27 advantage over the 'Jacks.

Frank Staine carried over his first half offensive prowess as his driving layup narrowed the 'Jacks deficit to 39-35 with 16:22 left in the second half.  After the Wildcats found themselves in foul trouble, SFA began to find success at the free throw line.

Matt Hayman's three-pointer tied the game at 45-45 with 11:21 left in the game.  Both team's offenses battled through the backend of the second half.  SFA trailed through the entirety of the final half until Chrishawn Christmas cashed in from the three-point line.  Christmas's three gave the 'Jacks a 59-56 lead with 4:49 left.  The 'Jacks went on an 8-0 run over 1:42 to take the lead.

Matt Hayman continued to be dialed in through the last moments of the second half.  He led both teams offensively with his game high 17 points.  Hayman was the hero for SFA at the end of regulation.  Following a missed free throw by the Wildcats, Matt Hayman nailed a shot with :03 left to tie things at 66-66.

Hayman's role of hero transferred over to overtime as his back-to-back buckets gave SFA their biggest lead of night at 72-68 with 2:16 remaining in the first overtime.  Clayton Southwick hit the dagger three-pointer with :48 left to give SFA a 75-70 lead.

Matt Hayman finished as the game's leading scorer with his new career high.  He shot 9-for-14 with 25 points, six rebounds and two steals.  Frank Staine was SFA's only other scorer in double digits.  Staine finished 5-for-8 from the field and had 15 points, four rebounds, two steals, and an assist.  Hayman and Staine's 40 combined points contributed to SFA's 52 bench points.

The Lumberjacks got their first conference win of the season 79-74 over ACU.  SFA has now won five of the last six matchups against the Wildcats with the last two going into overtime.  Stephen F. Austin will be back in action on December 5th when they host Louisiana Tech at home for a non-conference showdown.