NACOGDOCHES, Texas- In another game that came down to the final seconds, the Lumberjacks fell to the Cal Baptist Lancers 81-79 before 2,909 fans at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. SFA falls to 12-8 overall and 5-4 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
Trailing 81-79 with three seconds left on the game clock, the Lumberjacks in-bounded the ball to redshirt-senior guard A.J. Cajuste. Cajuste drove to the basket with a chance to tie the game at 81-81 but was met with contact on his layup attempt and the ball was rebounded by the Lancers to secure the 81-79 win. It was the Lumberjacks second consecutive loss at home in a game that came down the final seconds. SFA lost 53-51 to Grand Canyon this past Thursday.
The Lumberjack offense started the game firing on all cylinders. SFA started the game 8-for-8 from the field and took an early 29-13 lead on a 14-0 run over the Lancers. During the run the ‘Jacks forced four turnovers and had four steals. Junior guard Matt Hayman started the game 4-for-4 from the field and led the ‘Jacks with his eight points.
California Baptist came back and hit four consecutive three-pointers to narrow the Lumberjack’s lead to 31-27. However, Latrell Jossell answered the Lancer’s three-point barrage with two consecutive three-pointers of his own.
SFA went into halftime with a 45-38 lead over the Lancers. The ‘Jacks finished the half 16-for-23 (69.6%) from the field and 4-for-5 (80%) from three-point range. SFA was led by Latrell Jossell’s 13-point performance in the first half. He shot 4-for-6 (66.6%) from the field and finished a perfect 3-for-3 from the three-point line.
Jossell also led the Lumberjacks on defense with his two steals. SFA had four steals and forced the Lancers into seven turnovers. California Baptist’s success came from three-point line as they finished the first half 8-for-18 (44.4%).
California Baptist got the second half started with back-to-back threes. After converting on a four-point play, CBU found their first lead of the game with 15:41 in the second half the Lancers led 50-47.
With ten minutes left in the game, California Baptist was 14-for-27 (51.9%) from the three-point line and led SFA 64-58. With 4:39 remaining CBU had their biggest lead of the day as they held an 11-point lead over the ‘Jacks. SFA was unable to climb back against the Lancer’s lead and fell 81-79.
Stephen F. Austin was led by Latrell Jossell who was named Player of the Game for the second game in a row. He finished the game with a season high 23 points and went 7-for-9 (77.7%) from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the three-point line. He also had a team high two steals. Latrell is currently shooting 94.7% from the free throw line and has converted on 23 straight shots from the charity stripe. He also recorded his 800thcareer point.
SFA shot 26-for-50 (52%) from the field and 6-for-10 (60%) from the three-point line. The Lancers finished 15-for-30 (50%) from the three-point line and were led by Dominique Daniels Jr.’s 29 points.
The Lumberjacks will cap off their four-game homestand with their matchup against Utah Valley on Saturday, February 1st at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
Tickets for all home games are available at www.SFATICKETS.COM.
By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications