Stephen F. Austin State secured a 10-point win over Incarnate Word, 56-46, at the William R. Johnson Coliseum, improving their record to 18-3. The Lumberjacks' victory was fueled by a strong performance from Keon Thompson, who led the team with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Thompson's impressive outing set the tone for Stephen F. Austin, which never trailed in the game.
At halftime, Stephen F. Austin held a 9-point advantage, 28-19, after limiting Incarnate Word to just 19 points in the first period. The Lumberjacks' defense continued to stifle the Cardinals in the second half, allowing only 27 points. Incarnate Word's top performer, Davion Bailey, managed 10 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lumberjacks' balanced attack. Ahamed Mohammed and Jerald Colonel also made significant contributions for Stephen F. Austin, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively, with Colonel adding 8 rebounds.
The game remained relatively low-scoring throughout, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on offense. However, Stephen F. Austin's consistency and defensive prowess ultimately was the difference. The Lumberjacks' ability to control the tempo and limit Incarnate Word's scoring opportunities allowed them to cruise to a comfortable victory.
Incarnate Word, now 9-12, had its moments, particularly in the second half when they attempted to mount a comeback. Harold Woods and Lewis Rowe provided a spark for the Cardinals, scoring 9 and 8 points, respectively, but it was too little, too late. The Cardinals' inability to overcome their slow start ultimately sealed their fate.
This win, although expected, is still a valuable addition to Stephen F. Austin's resume, as it marks their 18th victory of the season. However, as a Quadrant 4 game, it may not significantly boost their tournament chances. On the other hand, Incarnate Word, despite the loss being a Quadrant 2 game, will likely see their tournament hopes dwindle further, given their current net ranking of 253. The Cardinals' chances of making a deep postseason run appear slim, but they can still use this game as a learning experience to improve their performance in future outings.
As the season progresses, Stephen F. Austin want to build on this win and continue to strengthen their position in the standings. With their impressive record and solid performances, the Lumberjacks are making a strong case for themselves as a tournament contender. Meanwhile, Incarnate Word will aim to regroup and find ways to overcome their struggles, hoping to turn their season around and make a late push for a postseason berth. The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances, and it will be interesting to see how they respond in their upcoming games.