Stephen F. Austin at Louisiana Tech
Date: Wednesday, December 14th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Live Stream: ESPNU
Location: Ruston, Louisiana
Stadium: Thomas Assembly Center
Series: 12th Meeting (LA Tech leads 7-4)
RUSTON, Louisiana – The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks continue their non-conference schedule against Louisiana Tech and look to hand the Bulldogs their first home loss of the season.
Louisiana Tech leads the all-time series 7-4 and is 3-2 against SFA on their home court. However, the ‘Jacks have won the last match-up that took place in Ruston in December 2017 with a 85-83 victory.
Lumberjacks Statistical Analysis
While making most of his appearances off the bench, Sadaidriene Hall is making his presence known on the court as one of the team’s lead scorers. Hall leads the team with 117 points scored in the season, average of 13.0 points per game, and 53 total rebounds. Hall’s impressive .598 shooting percentage from the field makes him a force to reckoned with for opposing defenses.
A minor injury setback hasn’t stopped Latrell Jossell from being the ‘Jack’s sharpest shooter from beyond the arc. He leads the team with a .571 3-point percentage and still leads the team with 12 3-pointers made even after missing four games.
The Lumberjacks aren’t afraid to get physical with their opponents, especially when it comes to the defensive side. The team currently has four players with double-digit steals, with Kyle Hayman leading the way with 16. With 24 total team blocks, it should come as no surprise that 6-9 Nana Antwi-Boasiako account for 11 of the those blocks.
Last SFA Match: Lumberjacks Hit The Century Mark Against Paul Quinn
The ‘Jacks hit the ground running and scored 26 unanswered points in the first nine minutes of the game. The defense wasted no time in utilizing their strength as they forced ten turnovers within the opening 26-point run. The offense also started off the game strong as they shot 70.97% from the field and went 8-11 on three-pointers in the first half. The ‘Jacks entered halftime with a very comfortable 61-18 lead and was able to ride that lead all the way to the victory.
AJ Cajuste followed up his career high 27-point performance last game with a double-double against the Tigers, tallying 13 assists and 10 points. Nigel Hawkins led the way for the Lumberjacks in the scoring category dropping 20 points in the match. Latrell Jossell scored 15 points on the day as he was nearly unstoppable from the three-point line making five baskets on six attempts. Sadaidriene Hall, Nana Antwi-Boasiako, and Roti Ware all recorded double digit points in the game as well. Following today’s match, Hall and Hawkins have both now reached the 100 point mark on the season.
SFA led Paul Quinn in most of the major point categories including: field goal percentage (62.3-34.9), three point percentage (53.6-20), free throw percentage (80-50), points off of turnovers (39-6), second chance points (10-6), bench points (28-8), and points in the paint (42-22).
A Look at the Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech comes into this game with a 6-3 record and a perfect 3-0 home record. Their last game did not seem to favor them much as they suffered a 92-65 loss to Wyoming. The Bulldogs will be looking to redeem themselves at home this Wednesday.
Cobe Williams will be the one to look for the ‘Jacks defense as he’s one of the main offensive weapons for the Bulldogs as he leads the team with 17.3 points per game.
Keaston Willis is the sharp shooter from the arc as he leads the team with 24 3-pointers made on the season, along with 44 total rebounds.
Williams, Isaiah Crawford, and Jordan Crawford make up the heart of the defense for the Bulldogs as they compose of 51 of the team’s 76 total steals.
Last Match-Up Against Louisiana Tech (12/07/18)
Louisiana Tech defeated Stephen F. Austin in OT 96-93.
Over the last six-plus seasons, William R. Johnson Coliseum has been a house of horrors for the vast majority of the SFA men’s basketball team’s opponents. Every once in a while through that span, however, one of the ‘Jacks’ foes has managed to get the upper hand.
Unfortunately, that’s what happened Friday night.
Senior Shannon Bogues pumped in a game-high 33 points and graduate student Davonte Fitzgerald added a career-best 32 – including an overtime-forcing put-back score with 2.1 seconds left in regulation – but visiting Louisiana Tech shot 69.2-percent in the second half and held the ‘Jacks scoreless through the final 2:02 of overtime to capture a 96-93 win.
Kevon Harris added nine of his 14 points in the second half but five Louisiana Tech players netted at least 15 points apiece to become only the fifth team since 2012-13 to defeat SFA inside William R. Johnson Coliseum.Other SFA Tidbits
‘Jacks Preseason No. 3 in Coaches and Media Polls
The Lumberjacks were voted to finish third in the both the WAC Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll and the WAC Preseason Media Poll.
In the coaches’ poll, SFA finished with 111 votes and are 16 points behind second-place New Mexico State, and 10 points ahead of fourth-ranked Abilene Christian. In the media poll, the ‘Jacks are slated between NM State, and ACU.
2022-23 WAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank Team (1st-Place Votes)
1. Grand Canyon (8)
2. NM State (3)
3. Stephen F. Austin
4. Abilene Christian (1)
5. California Baptist (1)
6. Seattle U
7. Utah Valley
8. Sam Houston
9. Southern Utah
10. Tarleton
11. UT Arlington
12. Utah Tech
13. UTRGV
2022-23 WAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Media Poll
Rank Team
1. Grand Canyon
2. NM State
3. Stephen F. Austin
4. Abilene Christian
5. California Baptist
6. Sam Houston
7. Seattle U
8. Utah Valley
9. Southern Utah
10. UT Arlington
11. Tarleton
12. Utah Tech
13. UTRGV
Duo Named to All-WAC Preseason Team
Sophomores Sadaidriene Hall and Jaylin Jackson-Posey were selected to the All-WAC Preseason Second Team, as voted by the coaches. Jackson-Posey was additionally named to the All-WAC Preseason Media Team.
Jackson-Posey had a standout 2021-22 freshman campaign.
The Midland, Texas native appeared in 31 games on the season, starting in seven of those matchups and averaged 22.1 minutes, 7.5 points, and 2.5 rebounds per game. Jackson-Posey recorded 67 assists, 41 steals, and 25 blocks throughout the year, being ranked in the top three on the team in each of those categories. Additionally, he scored double digits in eight games.
Hall played a significant role for the ‘Jacks last season.
Hall in all 32 games on the season, starting in three of those matches and averaged 19.7 minutes, 9.4 points, and 5.3 rebounds per game. A key player on the court, he had the second -best field goal percentage (.578) on the team with a minimum of 100 attempts, third most points scored in the season (300), third most rebounds (170), third most steals (39), and second most blocks (27). The Sulphur Springs, Texas native Scored double digits in 14 games including a 28-point double-double performance against Wiley, and15 points on the board in the senior night matchup against Abilene Christian, which included a game winning jump shot as the clock hit zero.
Early Signing Day
Chrishawn Christmas – Guard/Forward
6-foot-5, 210 pounds
Gary, Indiana
Panola College
Coach Keller: “We are excited about Chrishawn becoming a Lumberjack. He has a great basketball background, having been coached by Dave Maravilla and Mike Nesbit. His toughness and versatility on the wing will be a welcomed addition to our program.”
Mike Nesbitt, Panola College Head Men’s Basketball Coach: “Chrishawn is an outstanding fit for Stephen F. Austin and how Coach Keller wants to play. He loves to compete, has a great knack for the ball, especially on the glass and can guard multiple positions on the floor. CC has one speed, 100 percent. We are extremely proud of and happy for CC!”
Clayton Southwick – Forward
6-foot-8, 230 pounds
Palmer, Alaska
Snow College
Coach Keller: “Clayton is a great fit for our program. He brings maturity and great skill and size to our front court. His ability to stretch the floor, while still embodying the great toughness that our program is known for, will be a big weapon for us next season. We’re excited to follow his success at Snow this season under former Utah Tech assistant and now Snow College head coach Andrew May.”
Andrew May, Snow College Head Men’s Basketball Coach: “Clayton is a skilled, strong and athletic big man who has developed as a leader. His ability to impact the game on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor as well as influencing his teammates makes him a special prospect. We are excited for Clayton’s opportunity to compete for such a storied program. The future is bright for Clayton in Lumberjack land!”