Box Score

THE RUNDOWN
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – For just over 32 minutes St. Edward's University gave NCAA Division I Stephen F. Austin all it could handle, but the defending Southland Conference champions flexed its muscles late with a 26-10 run in the final 7:33 to defeat the Hilltoppers 89-66 Wednesday at WRJ Coliseum.

The Hilltoppers enjoyed as much as a 6-point lead in the first half and led the contest for 3:36 before SFA (2-0) took an 8-point lead into the locker room at half, 42-34. SEU was able to cut the lead early in the second half to six points, but it was as close as the visitors would get.

Sean Watkins' 3-pointer with 7:43 remaining cut the SFA lead to seven for SEU with the Hilltoppers trailing just 63-56. however, SFA went on an 11-1 run over the next 1:55 to extend the lead to 17, and the Jacks coasted from there.

Landon Goesling continued his offensive explosion and led both teams in scoring with 19 for SEU, Watkins added a dozen and Sean Phillips tallied 11 points. SFA used its size and strength dominating with 56 paint points compared to SEU's 16, and the Jacks outrebounded the Hilltoppers, 42-32. The win counted for SFA, but SEU's loss will not as the game was agreed as an exhibition for the NCAA Division II Hilltoppers.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Landon Goesling led both teams in scoring with 19 points.
• Sean Watkins had 12 points and Sean Phillips added 11.
• Dorian Lopez led the Hilltoppers with eight rebounds.
• The Hilltoppers hit 8-of-21 shots from beyond the arc while holding SFA to just 2-of-13 from long range.

STAT OF THE GAME I
34 – SFA turned 26 SEU turnovers into 34 points Wednesday night.

THEY SAID IT
SEU Head Coach Andre Cook on the Hilltoppers' effort against tough competition Wednesday …
"Was proud of our guys. They hung in there for 30+ minutes with the Southland preseason favorite with zero days to prepare. However, I still don't think we would've been ready for SFA's defensive intensity. Coach [Kyle] Keller really gets his guys to play hard. They are worthy of the preseason hype. We will learn a lot from this."

WHAT'S NEXT
SEU travels to San Angelo Friday and Saturday for a tournament at Angelo State where the Hilltoppers will begin play Friday at 5 p.m. vs. NAIA Paul Quinn College.