Lumberjacks Unable to Complete Comeback against Aggies

Wednesday, February 1

Las Cruces, New Mexico

8:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

15-8,7-3WAC

New Mexico State

8-14,1-9WAC

SFA

New Mexico St.

Lumberjacks Unable to Complete Comeback against Aggies

2/1/2023 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Colby Jackson, SFA Student Assistant for Strategic Communications

LAS CRUCES, NM - New Mexico State defeated Stephen F. Austin 73-67 as Lumberjacks give the Aggies their first conference win of the season. The 'Jacks fall to 15-8 (WAC 7-3) as the Aggies improve to 8-14 (WAC 1-9).

Both teams came out of the gates firing as it was a strong offensive starts for both the Lumberjacks and the Aggies. 24 points were already scored within the first five minutes of the game, as both sides traded blows and swapped the lead multiple times early on. With the score tied at 16 a piece, the Aggies were able to get the early advantage by going on a 9-0 run. The Lumberjacks spent the rest of the first half trying to keep up with the Aggies, as they held a steady two possession lead over SFA. The 'Jacks ended the half on a high note as they finished the last minute and a half by going on a six-point run and cutting their deficit to two going into the locker rooms. Both teams ended the half with at least 50% field goal percentage, with the Lumberjacks making 50% of their shots and the Aggies with 57%. Latrell Jossell had an impressive first half, nailing three deep shots and getting 11 points in the first 20 minutes.

Second half was a much different story for both teams, as both struggled to find the same rhythm that they had in the early going. And that unfortunately hit the Lumberjacks the hardest as they had a slow start to the half, only making one shot in their first seven attempts from the field. That allowed the Aggies to go on a 11-2 run and get their biggest lead of the game at 51-40. The 'Jacks then finally found a groove and responded with a seven-point run of their own and eventually cut their deficit to one at 54-53. However, that momentum swing didn't last long as they failed to make any of their next five straight shots from the field, which allowed the Aggies to grow their lead to 61-53. But the 'Jacks fought back once again, and with the help of some free-throws from Jaylin Jackson-Posey and a pull-up jumper by Sadaidriene Hall, the 'Jacks were down by one point again with under three minutes remaining. But time wasn't on their side, as the Aggies were able to put up a couple of more buckets and held off the Lumberjacks for their first win in ten games.

The Lumberjacks had a good number of opportunities to cut their deficit more or even potentially take the lead, but only being able to convert four total shots from the field in the final ten minutes hurt their chances at the victory. In the second half, the 'Jacks recorded a 38.5% field goal percentage (10-for-26), while the Aggies were 38.7% (12-for-31).

Jossell had a solid day on the court, going four-for-seven on three-point shots, and recording 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists on the day. Hall tied Jossell on most points in the game with 14, and also brought down seven rebounds and two assists. Jackson-Posey put up 11 points on the evening along with two rebounds and three assists.

The 'Jacks were able to outscore the Aggies in: three-point percentage (35-29), free-throw percentage (68-57), bench points (30-24), and fastbreak points (13-10).

The Stephen F. Austin men's basketball team will look to rebound in Phoenix against Grand Canyon University on Saturday, February 4th with tipoff at 7:00 p.m.