Rice’s OT Heave Beats Jacks at Buzzer

Saturday, November 14

Nacogdoches, Texas

1:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

3-1,0-0Southland

Rice

2-2,0-0American

Team	1	2	OT 1	F
Rice	39	33	9	81
SFA	30	42	6	78

11/14/2026 4:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

The setback snaps SFA's 10-game non-conference home winning streak

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin erased a double-digit second-half deficit and held a four-point lead late in regulation, but Rice rallied to force overtime and escaped William R. Johnson Coliseum with an 81–78 victory after Jaxson Thompson's 60-foot heave hit at the horn. The loss drops the Lumberjacks to 3–1 overall and snaps a 10-game non-conference home winning streak.

Rice established a 39–30 halftime advantage behind 16 first-half points from Thompson. SFA struggled offensively late in the opening period, going the final 6:07 without a made field goal as the Owls carried a nine-point advantage into the locker room.

The Owls maintained their momentum early in the second half, extending their lead to 46–36 before the Lumberjacks began working their way back. Marcus Scurry connected from beyond the arc, while Kobi Pearson added another three-pointer to help SFA cut into the deficit.

The Lumberjacks continued their comeback behind Erik Makke, Christian Green and Gediminas Alisas. Makke knocked down a three-pointer to even the contest at 56 before Alisas converted a three-point play following a Rice basket, putting SFA ahead 59–58. The basket completed a 23–12 stretch that erased Rice's 10-point advantage.

SFA eventually established a 72–68 lead late in regulation, putting the Lumberjacks in position to complete the comeback. Rice, however, answered with four consecutive points to erase the deficit and send the contest into overtime tied at 72.

The teams continued battling through the additional five minutes, with neither side able to create substantial separation. Rice ultimately outscored SFA 9–6 in overtime, with Thompson delivering the decisive three-pointer.

POSTGAME NOTES

Erik Makke finished with a team-high 18 points, his fourth consecutive double-digit scoring performance to begin the season. He added three rebounds and two assists
Marcus Scurry supplied 13 points off the bench, shooting 5-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. His three triples accounted for nearly one-third of SFA's 10 made three-pointers
MJ Russell, Edwin Daniel and Amari Reed each recorded two blocked shots, accounting for all six of SFA's blocks. Russell also contributed eight points and four rebounds
Gediminas Alisas led SFA with six assists while contributing nine points and four rebounds. He committed zero turnovers in 26 minutes, recording a 6-to-0 assist-to-turnover ratio
Narit Chotikavanic pulled down a team-high six rebounds and distributed five assists without committing a turnover in 32 minutes. He also contributed three points
SFA received 40 points from its reserves, accounting for 51.3% of the team's scoring. The Lumberjacks' bench outscored Rice's 40–9
The Jacks finished with 20 assists on 30 made field goals, assisting on 66.7% of their baskets. It marked SFA's second game with at least 20 assists this season
SFA shot 50.0% (16-of-32) in the second half after connecting on just 34.4% (11-of-32) in the opening period. The Lumberjacks also improved from 25.0% to 43.8% from beyond the arc
SFA recorded six blocked shots and six steals while forcing 15 Rice turnovers. The Lumberjacks have registered at least five blocks in all four games this season

UP NEXT
The Jacks are beach bound as a three-game stay at the Paradise Jam awaits. It marks the first action for the program since 2023 when the Jacks hooped in the Cayman Islands Classic. The Jacks open with Indiana State in the first meeting ever between the two programs. Tip-off from the Virgin Islands is set for 2 p.m. CT. 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
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#AxeEm x #WinTogether