Stephen F. Austin State asserted its dominance over Louisiana-Monroe, cruising to a 96-76 win at the William R. Johnson Coliseum. The Lumberjacks' high-powered offense was on full display, with Keon Thompson leading the charge. The standout guard poured in 25 points, adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists to his impressive stat line. Thompson's performance set the tone for the game, as Stephen F. Austin State built a commanding 47-37 lead by halftime.
The Lumberjacks' offense showed no signs of slowing down in the second half, as they continued to push the pace and exploit Louisiana-Monroe's defense. Narit Chotikavanic and Gediminas Alisas chipped in with 17 and 12 points, respectively, as Stephen F. Austin State's balanced attack proved too much for the Warhawks to handle. The Lumberjacks' 49-point second half sealed the deal, as they coasted to a 20-point victory.
Despite the lopsided score, Louisiana-Monroe had its own bright spots. Lavell Brodnex turned in a strong performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to lead the Warhawks. MJ Russell and Krystian Lewis also reached double figures, with 20 and 17 points, respectively. However, their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Stephen F. Austin State's relentless offense.
The win improves Stephen F. Austin State's record to 18-3, as they continue to build momentum in the non-conference portion of their schedule. While this game was classified as a Quadrant 4 matchup for the Lumberjacks, they avoided a potential pitfall and took care of business against an overmatched opponent. On the other hand, Louisiana-Monroe falls to 3-18, but can take some solace in the fact that this was a Quadrant 2 game for them, providing a chance to test themselves against a stronger foe.
As the season progresses, Stephen F. Austin State want to leverage performances like this to bolster their tournament resume. With a strong net ranking of 84, the Lumberjacks are positioning themselves for a potential postseason berth. While this win may not have been a marquee victory, it demonstrates their ability to take care of business against lesser opponents – a crucial trait for teams with NCAA Tournament aspirations. As the Lumberjacks continue to navigate their schedule, they'll aim to build on this momentum and make a strong case for themselves as a tournament-worthy team.