The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (24-5) and the Southland’s top-ranked offense head to Sam Houston State to take on the Bearkats (17-13) and the first-ranked defense in the conference. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Bearkats enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling Lamar 94-76 on Thursday. Aurimas Majauskas was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting. The Lumberjacks, meanwhile, are coming off a 95-55 win against Northwestern State on Thursday. Thomas Walkup played well for Stephen F. Austin, registering 10 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
Clide Geffrard has upped his play for the Lumberjacks, averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers over the past five games.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball security could play a key role in the matchup. Sam Houston State commits the 13th-fewest miscues in the nation (TO% of 16.4%), while the disruptive defense of Stephen F. Austin causes the most (opponents’ TO% of 27.1%). Moreover, the Lumberjacks are among the nation’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 16th in OR% at 34.8%. But the Bearkats rank second at corralling defensive rebounds with a DR% of 76.8%.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Lumberjacks winning the first matchup 76-64. Geffrard had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 22 points, five rebounds, one assist, one block, and four three-pointers.
Notes
Stephen F. Austin won its last game by a 40-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Sam Houston State is 7-3. Stephen F. Austin is 16-1 in blowouts this season.
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks rank 21st for their offensive rating of 115.2. The Sam Houston State Bearkats have a defensive rating of 101.5 (ranked 45th).
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking 22nd in the nation with a FG% of 48.2%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Sam Houston State Bearkats have an underachieving 2-5 record.
On average, Sam Houston State attempts 22.0 three pointers and Stephen F. Austin attempts 21.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Sam Houston State Bearkats are 13-9 while the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks have a winning 14-5 record.
Sam Houston State ranks 17th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.48, while Stephen F. Austin ranks 18th with an A/TO of 1.48.
Stephen F. Austin records 9.2 steals per game (ranked eighth). Sam Houston State is 2-3 when allowing at least 9 steals.
