SFA Loses 63-62 at Home to ACU

Saturday, February 17

Nacogdoches, TX

2:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

14-11,7-7WAC

Abilene Christian University

10-15,5-9WAC

Abilene Christian

SFA

SFA Loses 63-62 at Home to ACU

2/17/2024 5:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications

NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks split their regular season series against the Abilene Christian Wildcats, with their 63-62 loss at the William R. Johnson Coliseum.  SFA fell to 14-11 overall and 7-7 in Western Athletic Conference play.  ACU improved to 10-15 overall and 5-9 in WAC play.

The Wildcats trailed the entire game until senior forward Airion Simmons scored a bucket in the paint to give the Wildcats a 63-62 with five seconds remaining on the clock. With one final chance to win the game, SFA junior guard Latrell Jossell got off a step-back jumper, but it was partially blocked, and the Wildcats secured the win.

The Lumberjacks found early scoring from Clayton Southwick who had four of the first six points for SFA.  With ten minutes left in the first half, SFA led 19-15, shooting 6-for-9 (66.7%) from the field and 2-for-2 from the three-point line.

Jalil Beaubrun capped off a 13-4 run by SFA that extended their lead to 32-19 with a minute remaining.  With :01 left in the first half Kimahri Wilson cashed in on his turnaround jumper to give SFA a 32-22 lead going into halftime.

SFA shot 14-for-24 (58.3%) from the field and 3-for-4 (75%) from the three-point line in the first half.  Matt Hayman led the Lumberjack's scoring in the first.  He had nine points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field.  The Lumberjack defense also forced six turnovers.

Clayton Southwick's dunk widened the gap for the Lumberjacks as they led 48-31 with 13:35 left in the second half.  SFA's 17-point lead was their biggest of the game.  Southwick's dunk also gave him a new career high in scoring (10 points) at the Division-1 level.

An 18-0 run by the Wildcats tied the game at 57-57 with 4:02 on the clock.  With :18.2 on the clock, the Lumberjacks led 62-61.  Once again, the SFA and ACU rivalry came down the final possessions of the game. The Lumberjacks were unable to score on their final possesion and lost 63-62.

SFA finished 26-for-45 (57.8%) from the field and 3-for-7 (42.9%) from the three-point line.  Nana Antwi-Boasiako finished as the Lumberjack's leading scorer with 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field.  Nana also posted his second double-double of the year with his 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Clayton Southwick finished with a career high 12 points on 6-for-7 shooting.  Matt Hayman (11) and Latrell Jossell (10) also finished the game in double figures.  Kimahri Wilson had two of the three Lumberjack steals.  SFA was only able to force nine turnovers after averaging almost 18 per game.

SFA now travels for their next four games facing Seattle University (Feb. 22), Utah Valley (Feb. 24), California Baptist, (Feb. 29) and closes the road season with the WAC leading Grand Canyon Lopes (March 2).

The Lumberjacks have six games remaining in the regular season, the final two games home against Southern Utah (March 7) and Utah Tech (March 9).

Tickets for all home games are available at www.SFATICKETS.COM. Tune into Q107.7 FM radio and listen to Rob Meyers "Voice of the Lumberjacks" call all the action or watch the Lumberjacks on ESPN+.