Colonels Clash with Lumberjacks

The Stephen F. Austin State Lumberjacks secured a narrow 81-78 victory over the Nicholls State Colonels on Saturday. The three-point margin of victory underscores the competitive nature of the contest, with SFA ultimately emerging on top. At halftime, the Lumberjacks held a five-point advantage, 39-34, setting the stage for a closely contested second half. Nicholls outscored SFA 44-42 over the final 20 minutes, but the Lumberjacks' initial cushion proved sufficient.

The outcome reflects the difference in the teams' current NET rankings, with SFA sitting at 75 and Nicholls at 260. While the Colonels pushed the Lumberjacks to the limit, SFA's slight edge in the first half and overall performance were enough to secure the win. The game's narrow margin suggests that a single possession or two may have separated the teams, highlighting the fine line between victory and defeat in this matchup.

The top performers for Stephen F. Austin were instrumental in securing the 81-78 victory over Nicholls. Lateef Patrick led the team in scoring with 20 points, albeit on a relatively inefficient 7-18 shooting from the field. He also contributed 2 rebounds and 2 assists, showcasing a somewhat one-dimensional scoring performance. Keon Thompson, on the other hand, demonstrated a more well-rounded game, tallying 16 points, 3 rebounds, and a team-high 9 assists. His ability to facilitate the offense was a key factor in the team's success.

Kam Burton provided a significant scoring boost off the bench, scoring 15 points on 5-9 shooting from beyond the arc. His 5 three-pointers were a notable aspect of his performance, as he did not attempt a single two-point field goal. In contrast to Patrick and Thompson, Burton did not contribute in other areas, failing to record a single assist or rebound. Despite this, his scoring output was crucial in helping Stephen F. Austin secure the win. The collective efforts of these three players ultimately proved to be the difference in the 3-point victory.

Zee Hamoda's 24 points were a bright spot for Nicholls, as he shot efficiently from both inside and outside, converting 8 of 11 field goal attempts and 4 of 6 three-pointers. However, despite his scoring prowess, Hamoda's supporting numbers were somewhat lacking, with just five rebounds and one assist. His 24 points were not enough to propel the Colonels to victory.

Trae English and Sincere Malone both provided valuable contributions, but ultimately fell short in their respective areas of focus. English dished out six assists, a season high for the Colonels, but his 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting was not enough to make a significant impact. Malone's 13 points were backed by a strong 5-for-5 performance from the free throw line, but his 4 rebounds and 5 assists were overshadowed by the Lumberjacks' balanced attack.

The supporting casts for both teams largely adhered to their season averages, with few notable exceptions.

The final score of 81-78 in favor of Stephen F. Austin came as little surprise, as the pre-game prediction of a 18.4-point margin of victory was ultimately correct. However, the narrow margin belies the fact that the Lumberjacks were able to contain Nicholls' explosive offense and capitalize on their own advantages on the glass and from beyond the arc.

Stephen F. Austin's ability to convert at a higher clip from three-point range, improving from their season average of 36.5% to 39.4% in this contest, was a key factor in their victory. Additionally, the Lumberjacks' dominance on the glass, particularly in securing second-chance opportunities, was crucial as they outrebounded Nicholls 29.6% to 13.0%. These two factors allowed Stephen F. Austin to maintain a narrow lead despite Nicholls' torrid shooting from the field, as the Colonels' 66.3% effective field goal percentage was not enough to overcome the Lumberjacks' defensive prowess and efficient offense.

The win for Stephen F. Austin adds a crucial notch to their NCAA Tournament resume, particularly in the context of their NET ranking, which will continue to be a significant factor in seeding. With this Quad 1 loss now in the books, Nicholls' chances of securing an at-large bid have taken a significant hit, as their NET ranking and Quad 1 losses will make it increasingly difficult for them to climb the seeding ladder, potentially relegating them to the play-in games or even a first-round exit. Meanwhile, Stephen F. Austin's Quad 1 win will help to bolster their seeding prospects, but they still have work to do in terms of adding more quality wins to their resume to solidify their position. The Lumberjacks' NET ranking will be a key factor in determining their seeding, but for now, they remain in the mix for a top-15 seed.