The Sam Houston State Bearkats (10-9) and the Southland’s first-ranked offense travel to Stephen F. Austin to play the Lumberjacks (12-5) and the top-ranked defense in the conference. Action starts at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Jan. 23 and will air on ES3.
The Lumberjacks come into this game on a high note after blowing out New Orleans 82-58 the last time they played. Demetrious Floyd led all scorers on the team with 32 points on 13-for-16 shooting. The Bearkats, meanwhile, are coming off an 87-76 win over Nicholls in their last game. Jamal Williams shot 7 for 7 and led in scoring with 17 points.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, the turnover story could loom large in this showdown. Sam Houston State commits the 30th-fewest errors in the nation (TO% of 15.9%), while the gambling defense of Stephen F. Austin causes the second-most (opponents’ TO% of 27.2%).
Notes
In its last game, Stephen F. Austin won by a margin of 24 points. Sam Houston State is 4-3 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Stephen F. Austin has a 9-1 record in blowouts.
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have a defensive rating of 95.4 (ranked 37th), while the Sam Houston State Bearkats have an offensive rating of 106.8 (ranked 153rd).
The Sam Houston State Bearkats average a field goal percentage of 42.3% this season. The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have a solid 7-4 record in games where opponents have a FG% of 42.3% or greater.
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks and the Sam Houston State Bearkats both rank higher in average effective field goal percentage when compared to their field goal percentages. Stephen F. Austin is 52nd and 47th in the nation for FG% and eFG% respectively, while Sam Houston State is 264th and 254th in these categories.
Stephen F. Austin ranks among the best in the nation in assists at sixth (18.9 assists per game). Sam Houston State is ranked 28th with 16.8 assists per game.
Sam Houston State, the 83rd-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 38.7 rebounds per game. Stephen F. Austin does worse, ranked 279th with 34.4.
On average, Sam Houston State forces a turnover rate of 18.7%. When Stephen F. Austin turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 4-2 record.
