Cajuste's Buzzer Beater Gives Jacks their First WAC Tournament Win

Wednesday, March 13

Las Vegas, Nevada

10:30 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

18-14,10-10WAC

Abilene Christian University

15-17,10-10WAC

Abilene Christian

SFA

Cajuste's Buzzer Beater Gives Jacks their First WAC Tournament Win

3/14/2024 2:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications

LAS VEGAS, Nevada- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and Kyle Keller found their first Western Athletic Conference Tournament win with their 60-57 win over the Abilene Christian Wildcats.  The 'Jacks improved to 18-14 overall and move on to the second round of the WAC Tournament.

Following the Wildcat's opening score, the Lumberjacks went on a 7-2 run to take a 7-4 lead.  SFA's defense forced five turnovers in the first ten minutes of play and even held ACU to a scoring drought of just under four minutes.

With :9.0 on the clock, Airion Simmons drove to the basket but had his game winning layup blocked by Chrishawn Christmas.  Christmas gathered the rebound with :3.5 remaining in the second half and found Matt Hayman who passed the ball up court to AJ Cajuste.  Cajuste got rid of the ball just before the buzzer and sunk the game-winning three-pointer to grab a 60-57 win over Abilene Christian. It was his second game winning shot this season.

With nine minutes remaining in the first half SFA shot 6-for-10 (60%) from the field and 3-for-5 (60.0%) from behind the three-point line.  The Lumberjacks first half scoring was led by Matt Hayman's eight points on 1-For-2 from three and 5-for-6 from the free throw line.

Stephen F. Austin entered halftime with a 29-23 lead over Abilene Christian.  Latrell Jossell and Jalil Beaubrun added seven points each.  The Lumberjack's defense forced eight turnovers and was led by Matt Hayman's two steals.  SFA also held ACU to 10-for-28 (35.7%) from the field and 0-for-5 (0.0%) from the three-point line.  The 'Jacks also outscored the Wildcats 5-0 on transition points.

After the Lumberjacks only scored six points through the first seven minutes of the second half, the Wildcats tied the game 35-35.  ACU's 11-0 run gave them their first lead 38-35 with 12:29 on the clock.

In typical Latrell Jossell fashion, his three-pointer from the halfcourt logo gave him his 1000th career point and tied the game at 48-48.  Both teams found themselves in foul trouble and shot free throws through the majority of the second half.

Chrishawn Christmas gave SFA their first lead of the second half since the 11:21 mark.  His layup put the Lumberjacks out front 52-51 with 3:30 left in the game. Although SFA was outscored 34-31 in the second half they held on to take their second win over ACU this season.

SFA had three scorers finish in double figures but was led by Latrell Jossell's 17 points.  Matt Hayman (13) and AJ Cajuste (12) also finished with double-digit scoring performances.  The 'Jacks shot 20-for-50 (40.0%) from the field and 8-for-18 (44.4%) from the three-point line.

The Lumberjack's PressU defense showed up in full force as SFA forced ACU into 22 turnovers on 10 steals. Matt Hayman finished with a game high three steals, while Jalil Beaubrun also posted a game high two blocks.

Stephen F. Austin will be back in action tomorrow against the UT Arlington Mavericks.  The 'Jacks are 1-1 against the Mavs this season and will look to advance to the WAC semi-finals against Tarleton State.  Tip-off between SFA and UTA is set for 10:30 p.m. CT.

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+.