You may not know this, but the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks own the second longest winning streak in the entire nation, only behind the undefeated Wichita State Shockers. This 28 game winning streak has the Sam Houston State Bearkats on it now three times, including a championship game. The Bearkats looked to try and keep hold with Stephen F. throughout the first half, but after a 14-4 run near the end of the 1st, a 7 point lead for Sam Houston turned into a 5 point lead for Stephen F.
Sam Houston State could have owned the night, but players such a Paul Baxter got in foul trouble early in the second half. In turn, Stephen F. Austin took full advantage of the weaknesses of the Bearkat defense and exploded for a 68 point game.
Mistakes by Sam Houston clogged their chances of pulling any kind of second half miracle. The turnovers and silly fouls doomed them as Stephen F. Austin waltzed all over the court wearing white and purple and carrying an axe. It was just a 5 point gaming heading into halftime.
On the plus side of this game being immensely boring, a couple of humorous things happened. Such as Stephen F. having to burn a timeout because a player had his shoe fall off. Double knot your shoes, kids. Also, and errant pass deflected off the knee of a Sam Houston defender, and on the other end, met contact with an ESPN commentator. Couldn't have happened to a greater bunch of guys honestly.
Southland Conference MVP Thomas Walkup finished the night with 19 points for the Lumberjacks, who with the win, clinch their spot into the big 64 team tournament. Being projected as a #12 seed, Stephen F. Austin has no real promise down on the bottom half of their region. But their "one cut" offense could prove tricky for teams to defend in the tournament. Don't be surprised to see the 'Jacks go deep into the tournament, but don't expect them to lay too many trails along the way either.
For Sam Houston State, the 23 win season came to a bitter hault once the second half started. The lead within their grasp, Paul Baxter and Michael Holyfield will be hit the most with this loss. Their absense considerably weakened the defense even when the Bearkats tried to run a tight man coverage. The Lumberjacks had their way with 35 second half points to put the staple on an undefeated conference championship run.
The final thoughts for Sam Houston have to be positive. Baxter and Holyfield still having more years of playing time in college will help propel the Bearkats as an experienced squad. They were one win away from the dance, and next year could just as easily be their year. For Stephen F. Austin, they can party, and they will party, but the celebration must die quickly. There is more basketball to be played. If Cinderella wants to go far in the tournament, it's time to take off the slippers, and put on the hockey mask. Michael Myers will meet you in the Tournament.