Jacks Pick Up Road Win in Abilene

Wednesday, November 11

Abilene, Texas

7:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

3-0,0-0Southland

Abilene Christian

1-2,0-0UAC

Team	1	2	F
SFA	35	41	76
Abilene Christian	29	42	71

Photo by: Elysa Ripley

11/11/2026 9:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

SFA puts game away at stripe; Makke, Alisas combine for 39 points

ABILENE, Texas – Stephen F. Austin erased an early seven-point deficit, built a double-digit second-half lead and converted late free throws to defeat Abilene Christian 76–71 from inside Moody Coliseum on Wednesday night in Abilene. Erik Makke scored 21 points and Gediminas Alisas added 18 off the bench as the Lumberjacks improved to 3–0 for the second-straight season.

SFA shot 50 percent from the field and committed eight turnovers, providing enough offensive efficiency to overcome a 39–35 rebounding disadvantage.

ACU used a 9–0 run to take an 11–4 lead with 15:39 remaining in the first half, but SFA answered with six consecutive points to settle into the game. The decisive first-half stretch came after the Wildcats led 16–15. Alisas scored five points and Marcus Scurry added a basket during a 7–0 run that put the Jacks ahead 22–16. SFA never trailed again. The Lumberjacks eventually extended their advantage to 35–25 on MJ Russell's layup with 1:50 remaining before taking a 35–29 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats scored the first five points after the break, completing a 9–0 run across the intermission to pull within a point at 35–34. Christian Green answered with a second-chance basket, Makke followed with a three-pointer and Alisas added consecutive baskets as SFA outscored ACU 9–2 to regain an eight-point cushion. Alisas scored eight points during a stretch of less than four minutes, helping the Jacks establish a consistent scoring presence inside. Narit Chotikavanic's jumper pushed the lead to a game-high dozen at 59–47 with just under nine minutes to play.

ACU responded with a 9–1 stretch to close within 60–56 before Chotikavanic hit a three-pointer with 3:59 left. Alisas added a layup, and Makke's three with 2:14 remaining gave SFA a 69–62 advantage. The Wildcats kept pressing, cutting the margin to two twice in the final 69 seconds.

SFA secured the result by making seven of eight free throws over the final 46 seconds. Alisas sank two, while Makke supplied five more, including four in the final nine seconds.

POSTGAME NOTES

The Jacks finished with 38 points in the paint and 33 bench points, combining interior production, timely perimeter baskets and late foul shooting to complete their first road victory of the season
SFA was hot inside the perimeter shooting 61% on two-point opportunities
SFA outscored ACU 31-14 after falling behind 11-4 to build a six-point lead at the half
Makke led the Lumberjacks with a season-high 21 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field, 3-for-4 from three-point range and 6-for-8 at the free-throw line while adding two assists
Alisas scored a season-high 18 points off the bench on 7-for-9 shooting and collected four rebounds
Green contributed nine points on 4-for-5 shooting, four rebounds, a team-high three assists and one block without committing a turnover
Daniel led SFA with eight rebounds and added two assists, while MJ Russell finished with seven points, four rebounds, one block and one steal
Ashton Simmons supplied six points on 2-for-3 shooting and made both free throws, while Courterius Scott added five points, one assist and one steal
The Jacks improve to 8-4 under Braeuer when being outrebounded

ABOUT THE WIN

The Lumberjacks improve to 30-15 against the Wildcats since the 1973-74 season
SFA wins for the fourth-straight time against ACU
The Jacks capture a second-consecutive 3-0 start and the program's fifth in the last 10 seasons
SFA wins its road opener and first Division I matchup of the season
The Jacks improve to 13-5 on the road and to 31-6 overall under Braeuer

UP NEXT
The Jacks return home to face Rice on November 14. The two squads met in Houston last season with SFA winning 81-69 for Matt Braeuer's first career road win. It will be the eighth meeting since the '98 season. SFA leads 4-3. Tip-off from inside William R. Johnson is set for 1 p.m. Live coverage links are available at www.SFAjacks.com.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Season and single-game tickets are available now! Men's basketball season tickets are only $149 and include admission to 16 home games—less than $10 per game. Single-game tickets are available beginning at just $10. For ticket information or assistance purchasing, contact the SFA Athletics Ticket Office at 936-468-5225 or tickets@sfasu.edu.

THE JACKS HAVE GONE MOBILE
SFA Athletics' newest mobile phone application is designed to bring Lumberjack fans closer to the action than ever before. Available now on both the App Store and Google Play, the new SFA Athletics app delivers schedules, scores, rosters, news, ticket access, and exclusive content right to your phone. Fans can also receive push notifications, so they never miss a moment of the action. Download now: Official SFA Athletics App.

NOW STREAMING
SFA fans can now take Lumberjack Basketball wherever they go with live coverage on the SFA Athletics App and The Varsity App. All men's and women's basketball broadcasts have moved to a streaming-only format, keeping fans connected to every game throughout the season. Download either free app and catch every call from the stands, at home or on the road.

FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA men's basketball, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.

#AxeEm x #WinTogether