NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (1-0, 0-0) got the 2023-24 season kicked off today at William R. Johnson Coliseum. SFA notched their first victory of the year in a 96-68 win over the North American University Stallions (0-1, 0-0).
In his eighth season as the Lumberjack head coach Kyle Keller kept his season opener winning streak alive. Latrell Jossell, Kimahri Wilson, Matt Hayman, Sadaidriene Hall and Nana Antwi-Boasiako got the start for the ‘Jacks.
The game got off to a slow start, but Matt Hayman finally found the bottom of the net with 17:14 in the first half. SFA got hot as they went on a 20-0 run that gave them a dominant 34-5 lead with 7:33 on the clock.
The Lumberjacks finished out the first half with a 54-22 lead over the Stallions.
SFA only mustered 42 points in the second half. The Lumberjacks finished the season opener with a 96-68 win over North American. They shot 20-39 (51.3%) from the field and 5-14 (35.71%) from behind the arc. SFA also out rebounded the stallions 45-24 and forced 27 turnovers.Stephen F. Austin had four players finish with double-digit point totals. Kimahri Wilson led the scoring for the ‘Jacks with his 13 points. Sadaidriene Hall (11), Latrell Jossell (10) and Nana Antwi-Boasiako (10) also contributed double-digit point totals.
Kimahri Wilson had an excellent showing in his first Division I game. He received the Pilgrim’s Player of the Game with his 13 points on 4-6 shooting (66.6%), 5 assists, 5 steals, and 3 assists.
The ‘Jacks also received great contributions from transfers Juhlawnei Stone, Clayton Southwick, and Chrishawn Christamas. Stone finished the game with eight points on 4-5 shooting (75%) and seven rebounds. Southwick posted eight points on 4-4 shooting (100%), five rebounds, and one steal. In his first Division I game Christmas finished with seven points (37.5%), two rebounds, one block, and two steals.
Stephen F. Austin will be back in action November 9th at 7:00 p.m. The Lumberjacks travel to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where they will take on Middle Tennessee.
By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications