Stephen F. Austin
Northwestern St
SFA Drops SLC Opener To Northwestern State, 64-63
1/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2004
NATCHITOCHES, La. -- Antonio Burks scored 25 points, including a career high six three pointers, but it wasn't wnough as the Lumberjacks (9-3,0-1) fell to Northwestern State (3-8,1-0) Thursday night in the Southland Conference opener for both teams.
SFA and Northwestern State traded baskets over the opening three minutes of the game working to a 9-9 tie just over four minutes into the game before the 'Jacks went on an 0-14 stretch from the field. SFA went just over seven minutes of the first half without scoring a point and fell behind by 12 points.
Burks hit a three pointer to stop the scoring drought as the 'Jacks managed to pull within seven at the half, 30-23.
The Lumberjacks came out strong in the second half of play and erased the seven point lead, cutting the Demon lead to only one point on four occasions before finally regaining the lead late in the second half. Northwestern State's Jermaine Wallace took over down the stretch however as he answered each SFA basket with one of his own.
Burks hit his sixth trey of the night to give SFA a lead inside the final minute only to see the Demons answer. With less than 20 seconds to play and trailing by one, Northwestern State drove the lane but missed a lay-up. The Demons' Byron Allen came up with the offensive rebound and was fouled with 3.5 seconds to play. A 51 percent free throw shooter on the year, Allen made both free throws to put Northwestern State up by one with 3.5 seconds to play. SFA did not manage to get off a quality shot in the final seconds.
The 'Jacks return to action next Thursday night as they play host to McNeese State in the coliseum.
