HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University men's basketball team fell short 73-63 against Stephen F. Austin Saturday afternoon in the University Center.
SLU (4-10, 1-4 SLC) suffered a 10-point loss against SFA (12-2, 5-0 SLC) at home after battling throughout the contest in an effort to try and defend its home court. The Lumberjacks extended their seven-game winning streak and remained undefeated in Southland Conference play, leading the majority of the contest.
Sophomore Makhi Myles led Southeastern in his first career start with a season-high 20 points, shooting 6-9 from the field, 5-5 from three-point line and 3-3 from the free-throw line. Graduate senior Ethan Pickett added a season-high 14 points, while Jeremy Elyzee finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two assists. Fifth-year senior Isaiah Gaines chipped in eight points and seven rebounds against the Lumberjacks.
Stephen F. Austin was paced by Lateef Patrick Jr. and Keon Thompson, who scored 17 points apiece. The Lumberjacks also received a key contribution off the bench from Gediminas Alisas, who posted seven points and six rebounds, as SFA outscored Southeastern 28-6 in bench points.
The Lions remained competitive in the opening half, as the Lumberjacks gained an early lead on a 21-8 scoring run. Elyzee produced a solid run of his own for Southeastern to claim its first seven-points. SFA worked to create separation midway through the first half with an 11-0 run, 29-18, but SLU refused to back down as it secured eight points on second chance opportunities.
Elyzee and Myles proved to be an effective duo for the Lions as they combined for 17 points in the half to cut into the deficit. Southeastern responded late, trimming the deficit to six to close out the first half, 37-31. SLU closed out the first half shooting 45.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from behind the arc and 83.3 percent from the charity stripe.
Southeastern opened the second half with renewed energy and cut the margin to four-points, 37-33, following a basket by Pickett off the gate from the halftime break. Stephen F. Austin quickly worked to respond as Patrick caused problems for the hosts throughout the contest to extend its lead. SLU remained scrappy as it turned up its defensive intensity, while being aggressive to earn 18 paint points in the second half alone, 67-56.
Myles and Pickett continued to answer the call for the Lions down the stretch, but SFA weathered each storm Southeastern worked to produce with its own. The Lumberjacks valued each possession to maintain their lead late in the game at free throw line. SFA claimed the victory, shooting 40.3 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from the three-point line and 78.9 percent from the charity stripe.
SLU closed out its third conference home game, shooting 40.4 percent from the field, 35.0 percent from behind the arc and 90.9 percent from the free throw line.
The Lions will remain at home to host the Lamar Cardinals Monday evening at 6 p.m. in the University Center. Monday's matchup will be streamed on ESPN+ as fans are encouraged to wear green for the Green Out game.
HARDWOOD CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the basketball program are encouraged to join the Hardwood Club. Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letterwinners. All membership fees and donations to Hardwood Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern basketball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Basketball, follow @LionUpMBB and @DavidKieferSLU on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
