Stephen F. Austin
Jackson St
SFA Drops 68-59 Decision To Jackson State
11/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2001
JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Lumberjacks couldn't overcome turnovers and a 15-point first half deficit Wednesday night in Jackson, Mississippi, as the Jackson State Tigers handed SFA its second loss season, 68-59. SFA (0-2) committed 11 first half turnovers helping Jackson State to a 12-0 run midway through the first half as the Tigers stretched a 13-10 lead with just over 12 minutes to play in the half, to a 25-10 lead.
SFA chipped away at the Jackson State lead, whittling the deficit back to only seven at the half, 38-31.
The second half started in much the same manner as the first half with the teams trading baskets for the first four minutes. SFA did manage to cut the lead to only one early in the half before Eric Large hit one of his five three-pointers on the night to help the Tigers stretch the lead back to six. Large led Jackson State with 15 points, all coming on three point baskets.
Stevin Ozier sparked the SFA offense late in the second half as the 'Jacks battled back to take a lead of their own at 52-51, with just over five minutes to play. Ozier hit two straight baskets adding a blocked shot and a defensive rebound in between, to stake the 'Jacks to their only lead of the night. The lead didn't last long however, as Jackson State then went on an 11-0 run to wipe out the SFA lead and go ahead 62-52.
Turnovers were the story of the night as the 'Jacks committed 16 turnovers limiting their offensive chances.
"I was proud of the way the guys battled back, but I was very disappointed in the shot selection and impatient play late in the second half. After we took the lead, we took a time-out and talked to the team about making good decisions on shot selection and getting to the foul line, and we just didn't do it. We got some very good production from some of our key reserves, and there will be a lot of decisions made in the future about who will be starting on this team. I told them in the locker room that we must play better team basketball in order to win," said coach Danny Kaspar.
The 'Jacks outrebounded Jackson State 37-28, with Percy Green leading the charge with eight rebounds to go along with his 21 points. Ozier also added six rebounds and eight points for SFA.
The Lumberjacks return to action Saturday night as the play host to Texas Lutheran at 7:00 p.m. in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The 'Jacks have won four of their past five home openers, including the last two in a row.
