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    'Jacks Win 12th Straight With 76-62 Win Over UT-Arlington
    Banks has 15 points as the Lumberjacks remain perfect in SLC play at 9-0.
    B.J. Banks
    B.J. Banks

    Jan. 25, 2003

    Box Score

    NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (13-3, 9-0) overcame a slow start and a seven point halftime deficit in handing the UT-Arlington Mavericks (6-10, 3-5) a 76-62 Saturday in the coliseum. The win is the twelfth straight for the Lumberjacks and ties the longest win streak by the team since the 19886-87 season when SFA went 22-8 and qualified for the NIT after the season.

    B.J. Banks, the Southland Conference Player of the Week for the past week, led SFA with 15 points and also added five steals. Percy Green scored 14 points and Marcus Clark added 12 points off the bench for Danny Kaspar and the Lumberjacks. Green missed the start, breaking a streak of 43 straight starts dating back to last year's season opener. He suffered a cut on his foot last night and was doubtful at the start of the game.

    SFA came out sluggish in the first half, shooting only .379 from the floor (11-29) and committed six first half turnovers which allowed the hot shooting Mavericks to build as much as a nine point lead in the half. UTA shot .536 from the field (15-28) and SFA could not stop the inside play of Steven Thomas and Roy Johnson. Thomas had 10 points at the half and Johnson added eight.

    The second half was a different story however as the 'Jacks held Thomas to only eight points and Johnson to two, and cut the turnovers down to only three in the second half of play. The 'Jacks also found the range in the second half shooting .577 (15-26), including .429 (3-7) from behind the three point arc.

    A stifling Lumberjack defense forced 12 second half Maverick turnovers and ignited the SFA offense as the 'Jacks outscored UTA 8-2 on fast break points for the game. Banks had nine points in the second half and Clark scored nine points as well, including eight at the free throw line in the second half of the game. Clark ended the night 8-11 at the stripe as UT-Arlington continued to put the freshman on the line in the final minutes of play.

    The 'Jacks have the week off before starting a stretch of three straight on the road at Northwestern State next Saturday. Tip for the game in Natchitoches, La. is set for 2:00 p.m.