SFA Wins Their Fourth Straight 85-78 Over Vaqueros

Thursday, January 4

Edinburg, TX

12:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

9-5,2-1WAC

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

4-10,0-3WAC

SFA

UTRGV

SFA Wins Their Fourth Straight 85-78 Over Vaqueros

1/4/2024 2:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications

EDINBURG, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks resumed their conference season with an 85-78 win over the UTRGV Vaqueros.  The Lumberjacks improved to 9-5 overall and 2-1 in WAC conference play. The Vaqueros fall to 4-10 overall and 0-3 in the WAC.

SFA has now won the past five meetings versus the Vaqueros and have not lost to them since 2006.  The Lumberjacks are now riding a four-game winning streak and have scored at least 80 points in their last three games.

In a closely played second half, the Lumberjacks were trailing 73-72 with 2:19 remaining in the game. Then SFA went on a 13-5 run led by Frank Staine who scored 10 points in the final two minutes to help give the Lumberjacks the win. He put the game on ice going 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the last minute of play.

Staine finished as SFA's leading scorer and tied his career high 21 points. The last time Staine posted 21 points was at Grand Canyon University on January 18, 2023.  Junior forward Nana Antwi-Boasiako was the second leading scorer for SFA with 17 points, 6-for-6 from the field and six rebounds. Staine and Nana combined for 38 and contributed to SFA's 60 total bench points.

Nana Antwi-Boasiako was the Lumberjack's bright spot offensively early in the game.  He scored seven straight points to pull the 'Jacks to 15-12, with 13:08 to play in the first half.  Nana's layup gave SFA their first lead of the game, with 3:43 remaining till halftime.

Jalil Beaubrun's tip-in tied things at 38-38 entering the half.  SFA's bench posted 29 points and the scoring was led by Nana's 13 points on 100% shooting from both the field and free throw stripe.

The Lumberjacks finished the opening half 12-for-30 (40%) from the field and 4-for-11 (36.4%) from behind the arc.  SFA's defense posted seven steals and forced 13 turnovers. Chrishawn Christmas was the 'Jacks' defensive leader as he had three steals in the first half.

UTRGV finished the first half with two scorers in double digits.  Ahren Freeman (10) and J.J Howard (12) combined to shoot 7-for-11 and helped carry UTRGV to a 48% field goal percentage in the opening half.  The Vaqueros' four-point lead was the largest lead for both teams in the first half.

With his three-point play, Juhlawnei Stone hit his 19th consecutive made shot.  Stone's last missed shot came on December 19th against New Mexico State.

SFA found themselves on the wrong end of a 7-0 run and trailed 58-55 with 12:14 remaining in the game.  AJ Cajuste found Jalil Beaubrun for the alley-oop and gave SFA their biggest lead of the game 79-73 with :54 left.

Juhlawnei Stone finished the game with five rebounds and five points on 2-for-2 shooting from the field.  Stone has now shot 100% from the field in three straight games and made 20 consecutive baskets.

The Lumberjacks were led defensively by Chrishawn Christmas' four steals.  Stephen F. Austin posted 12 total steals and forced the Vaqueros into 20 turnovers.  SFA also converted from the free throw line as they shot 29-for-36 (80.6%).

Stephen F. Austin will continue conference play on Saturday, January 6th when they host the UT Arlington Mavericks. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. CT at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The first 250 fans will receive a block charger. The Lumberjack Eats Concessions Team is continuing its Game Day Specials adding a Big Axe Burger to the concession menu featuring bacon and macaroni and cheese on a brioche bun.

Tickets for the game vs. UT Arlington and all home games are available at WWW.SFATICKETS.com plus you can tune into ESPN+ or visit Q107.7 FM radio with the "Voice of the Lumberjacks" Rob Meyers.