The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks fell to Tulsa in an overtime thriller during the NIT opening round, with a final score of 89-84. Despite leading by 12 points late in the game, the Jacks couldn't maintain momentum as Tulsa rallied back to steal the victory. Keon Thompson led the Jacks with 27 points, setting a new single-season scoring record for the program. Contributions from Narit Chotikavanic and Gediminas Alisas, scoring 17 and 14 points respectively, were vital, but ultimately insufficient. A late scoreless stretch severely hindered SFA's chances of closing out the game.

By the Numbers
  • Keon Thompson scored 27 points, becoming the program's all-time single-season scoring leader with 629 points.
  • Stephen F. Austin made 10 three-point shots, surpassing 300 made threes in a season with a total of 302.
State of Play
  • The Jacks held a 12-point lead with under seven minutes remaining before a scoring drought led to overtime.
  • Tulsa converted 32 of 41 free throw attempts, which contributed significantly to their win over SFA.
What's Next

As the Jacks conclude their season, focus shifts to recruitment and strengthening their roster for the next year. Maintaining key players like Thompson may influence their performance in the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

This heartbreaking defeat highlights the need for the Jacks to improve their late-game execution to capitalize on leads. The team has shown potential, but addressing scoring droughts will be crucial for future success.