Thursday, March 7
Nacogdoches, TX
6:30 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
Southern Utah University
Lumberjacks Return Home to Host Thunderbirds
3/6/2024 3:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks are back in the NAC after their recent four-game road trip. SFA will look to complete the regular season sweep over SUU after taking an 84-82 win over the Thunderbirds earlier this season. The 'Jacks have two games remaining this season and look to lock up a position in the WAC Tournament.
Series History:
SFA is currently 1-3 versus SUU in the history of the series. The Lumberjacks found their first win against the Thunderbirds in their matchup earlier this season as SFA won 84-82 at Southern Utah. Stephen F. Austin is 1-1 against Southern Utah since entering the WAC in 2021.
In the win over the Thunderbirds earlier this season, SFA won on a layup by AJ Cajuste with four seconds left to secure the 84-82 victory. Matt Hayman was the leading scorer for the Lumberjacks finishing with 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from behind the three-point line. The Lumberjacks shot 32-for-56 (57.1%) from the field and 7-for-17 (41.2%) from the three-point line.
A Look at SFA:
SFA is averaging 74.3 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Lumberjacks are led by Latrell Jossell who is averaging 12.2 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field. Matt Hayman is the Lumberjack's second leading scorer with his 9.5 points per game. SFA's defense is forcing 17.14 turnovers per game and add another 9.0 steals per game.
SFA is the leading the conference in steals and turnovers forced per game. They rank 4th in the nation for turnovers forced per game and are 17th in the nation for steals per game. SFA also leads the nation in non-steal turnover percentage.
Matt Hayman (1.3), Chrishawn Christmas (1.3), Frank Staine (1.0), Latrell Jossell (1.5), and Kimahri Wilson (1.1) are all averaging at least one steal per game.
Latrell Jossell is the Lumberjack's leading scorer with his 12.2 points per game. Jossell is shooting 40.7% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point line. He is coming off an 18-point game against Grand Canyon. He is ranked first in the conference (48th NCAA) with his 87.4% free throw percentage. He also recently hit the 100-steal and 900-point mark. Since taking over at point guard, Jossell has played very efficient basketball. In the last seven games he averages 16.6 points per game and 3.57 assists per game. Jossell is also averaging two three-pointers per game on 55.7% shooting from the field.
SFA currently ranks number one in the WAC in four different statistical categories. The 'Jacks are number one in bench points (29.93, 14th NCAA), first in offensive rebounds per game (12.45, 37th NCAA) first in first in steals per game (9.0, 17th NCAA), and first in turnovers forced per game (17.14, 4th NCAA).
A Look at SUU:
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are currently 9-20 overall this season with a 4-14 record in Western Athletic Conference play. Southern Utah has lost their last seven matchups with their last win coming against UTRGV on February 3rd.
The Trailblazers are averaging 75.8 points per game on 44.3% shooting from the field. SUU's scoring is led by Dominigue Ford who averages 16.4 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the field. Zion Young (14.0), Parsa Fallah (13.2), and Braden Housley (10.8) are also averaging double-digit scoring for the Thunderbirds.
Southern Utah is coming off an 88-83 loss to the Tarleton Texans. In the loss to the Texans, Zion Young finished as the Thunderbirds leading scorer totaling 29. Dominique Ford (16), Prophet Johnson (14), and Chazz Hutchinson (12) also scored in double figures for SUU.
SFA's Next Matchup:
Stephen F. Austin closes their 2023-24 regular season schedule on Saturday, March 9 against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m CT.
SFA's game on Saturday is Cram the Coliseum and Senior Day honoring Lumberjack senior guards Frank Staine and AJ Cajuste along with team manager Reese Turner. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive SFA t-shirts and tickets are $5. The halftime show will feature "K9s in Flight."
Tickets for the remaining two 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+.
Series History:
SFA is currently 1-3 versus SUU in the history of the series. The Lumberjacks found their first win against the Thunderbirds in their matchup earlier this season as SFA won 84-82 at Southern Utah. Stephen F. Austin is 1-1 against Southern Utah since entering the WAC in 2021.
In the win over the Thunderbirds earlier this season, SFA won on a layup by AJ Cajuste with four seconds left to secure the 84-82 victory. Matt Hayman was the leading scorer for the Lumberjacks finishing with 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from behind the three-point line. The Lumberjacks shot 32-for-56 (57.1%) from the field and 7-for-17 (41.2%) from the three-point line.
A Look at SFA:
SFA is averaging 74.3 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Lumberjacks are led by Latrell Jossell who is averaging 12.2 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field. Matt Hayman is the Lumberjack's second leading scorer with his 9.5 points per game. SFA's defense is forcing 17.14 turnovers per game and add another 9.0 steals per game.
SFA is the leading the conference in steals and turnovers forced per game. They rank 4th in the nation for turnovers forced per game and are 17th in the nation for steals per game. SFA also leads the nation in non-steal turnover percentage.
Matt Hayman (1.3), Chrishawn Christmas (1.3), Frank Staine (1.0), Latrell Jossell (1.5), and Kimahri Wilson (1.1) are all averaging at least one steal per game.
Latrell Jossell is the Lumberjack's leading scorer with his 12.2 points per game. Jossell is shooting 40.7% from the field and 36.8% from the three-point line. He is coming off an 18-point game against Grand Canyon. He is ranked first in the conference (48th NCAA) with his 87.4% free throw percentage. He also recently hit the 100-steal and 900-point mark. Since taking over at point guard, Jossell has played very efficient basketball. In the last seven games he averages 16.6 points per game and 3.57 assists per game. Jossell is also averaging two three-pointers per game on 55.7% shooting from the field.
SFA currently ranks number one in the WAC in four different statistical categories. The 'Jacks are number one in bench points (29.93, 14th NCAA), first in offensive rebounds per game (12.45, 37th NCAA) first in first in steals per game (9.0, 17th NCAA), and first in turnovers forced per game (17.14, 4th NCAA).
A Look at SUU:
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are currently 9-20 overall this season with a 4-14 record in Western Athletic Conference play. Southern Utah has lost their last seven matchups with their last win coming against UTRGV on February 3rd.
The Trailblazers are averaging 75.8 points per game on 44.3% shooting from the field. SUU's scoring is led by Dominigue Ford who averages 16.4 points per game on 43.6% shooting from the field. Zion Young (14.0), Parsa Fallah (13.2), and Braden Housley (10.8) are also averaging double-digit scoring for the Thunderbirds.
Southern Utah is coming off an 88-83 loss to the Tarleton Texans. In the loss to the Texans, Zion Young finished as the Thunderbirds leading scorer totaling 29. Dominique Ford (16), Prophet Johnson (14), and Chazz Hutchinson (12) also scored in double figures for SUU.
SFA's Next Matchup:
Stephen F. Austin closes their 2023-24 regular season schedule on Saturday, March 9 against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m CT.
SFA's game on Saturday is Cram the Coliseum and Senior Day honoring Lumberjack senior guards Frank Staine and AJ Cajuste along with team manager Reese Turner. The first 250 fans in attendance will receive SFA t-shirts and tickets are $5. The halftime show will feature "K9s in Flight."
Tickets for the remaining two 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+.
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