The Stephen F. Austin State Lumberjacks dominated the first half, outscoring Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 37-16, with Lateef Patrick scoring 12 of his 21 points in the period, including 3 three-pointers. This strong start allowed the Lumberjacks to build a 21-point lead, which they maintained for most of the game. The Islanders, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 6-23 from the field in the first half, including 0-7 from three-point range. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Nick Shogbonyo led the team with 6 points in the first half, but it wasn't enough to keep up with the Lumberjacks' high-powered offense. As the half came to a close, Stephen F. Austin's 21-point lead seemed insurmountable, with the Lumberjacks shooting 52% from the field and 45% from three-point range.
In the second half, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi mounted a comeback, outscoring Stephen F. Austin 52-41, with Sheldon Williams scoring 10 of his 12 points in the period. The Islanders also improved their shooting, making 46% of their field goals and 38% of their three-pointers. However, it was too little, too late, as the Lumberjacks' first-half lead was too much to overcome. Stephen F. Austin's Keon Thompson added 10 points in the second half, including 2 three-pointers, to help seal the win. With 5 minutes remaining, the Islanders had cut the lead to 10 points, but the Lumberjacks responded with a 7-2 run to put the game out of reach. As the final buzzer sounded, Stephen F. Austin had secured their 24th win of the season, improving their record to 24-3.
Stephen F. Austin State's 11-Game Winning Streak is the Longest in the Country
Lateef Patrick's 21 points were a key factor in the Lumberjacks' win, as he hit several big shots to keep the Islanders at bay. Keon Thompson added 18 points and 5 rebounds, while Gediminas Alisas chipped in with 9 points and 6 rebounds. For Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Nick Shogbonyo led the team with 14 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lumberjacks' strong team performance. Sheldon Williams added 12 points and 9 rebounds, but the Islanders' poor first-half shooting ultimately doomed their chances of winning. As the game wore on, it became clear that Stephen F. Austin's depth and balance would be too much for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to handle.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 9.8-point Stephen F. Austin win was accurate, as the Lumberjacks' strong first-half performance set the tone for the rest of the game.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct because Stephen F. Austin's high-powered offense, which has averaged 75.2 points per game over their last 5 games, was able to overwhelm Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's defense, which has allowed an average of 73 points per game over their last 5 games. The Lumberjacks' ability to shoot 52% from the field and 45% from three-point range in the first half was a key factor in their win, as it allowed them to build a lead that the Islanders could never fully recover from. Additionally, Stephen F. Austin's recent form, which includes 11 consecutive wins, suggests that they are a team peaking at the right time.
As the season enters its final stretch, this win could have real consequences for Stephen F. Austin's tournament chances. With a NET ranking of 78, the Lumberjacks are firmly in the mix for an at-large bid, and their win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, a Quad 3 opponent, will only help to strengthen their resume.
The win improves Stephen F. Austin's Quad 3 record to 5-2, and their overall NET ranking to 78, making them a more attractive candidate for an at-large bid. On the other hand, the loss drops Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's NET ranking to 196, making it increasingly unlikely that they will receive an at-large bid. As the tournament picture begins to take shape, Stephen F. Austin's win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will be seen as a key factor in their eventual seeding, and could potentially earn them a spot in the top 5 seeds.
In the end, Stephen F. Austin's 78-68 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was a reflection of their strength and depth as a team. With 24 wins on the season, the Lumberjacks are one of the top teams in the country, and their performance against the Islanders only served to reinforce that notion. As the season enters its final stretch, Stephen F. Austin will be a team to watch, and their win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi will be seen as a key factor in their eventual tournament seeding. With their NET ranking and Quad 3 record both trending in the right direction, the Lumberjacks are poised to make a deep run in the tournament, and their win over the Islanders will be remembered as a key moment in their season.