Defensive-minded SFA heads to the Don

UTEP will have to wait a week before they get a chance to redeem themselves from their loss to NMSU Nov. 19 when they host Stephen F. Austin in a defensive showdown at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Don Haskins Center.

Despite a 1-2 record, the Lumberjacks are averaging 66.3 points per game, while holding opposing teams to 58.3. Stephen F. Austin is holding their opponents to 45 percent shooting and 27 percent from the three. The Lumberjacks' success on defense has translated into 10.3 steals per game and 2.3 blocks. Leading the way with steals for the Lumberjacks is junior guard Antonio Bostic with 2.7 per game.

Bostic is one of two starters returning from last year when Stephen F. Austin went 18-11 and 9-7 in Southland Conference. The other returner is senior center Jereal Scott who had a double-double against UTEP when the two met last year Dec. 20 at the Don Haskins Center.

Scott finished with a team-high 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the field. On this year's team, sophomore guard Michael Perez and sophomore center John Bohannon saw action last year against the Lumberjacks. Bohannon finished with four points and six rebounds while Perez had just one rebound in six minutes of play. The Miners took the meeting 61-52 that ended a six-game winning streak last year.

This year, it's Bostic who has taken over. Bostic is the leading scorer for Stephen F. Austin averaging 16 points per game and has three consecutive double-digit point games. Texas Tech had success against Bostic as they only allowed him to score 10 points shooting 26.7 percent from the field. Only sophomore guard Desmond Haymon is averaging double digit scoring besides Bostic.

The Lumberjacks have a turnover margin of +8 and are causing opposing teams to turn over the ball 23 times per game. They also have a positive rebounding margin of four, averaging 31.3 per game. Junior forward Jonathan King and junior forward Taylor Smith are the leading rebounders at 5.3 per game.

Stephen F. Austin is currently on a two game losing streak with their most recent loss coming against Texas Tech Nov. 20 in Lubbock. Both of their losses have come on the road with the first coming Nov. 14 against San Diego.

The Miners are coming off a loss versus NMSU 89-73 Nov. 12 at the Pan American Center. After going down 6-0, UTEP fought back to take a 27-20 lead in the first half, but were outscored 47-35 in the second half. The Aggies scored 24 points off turnovers and were out rebounded 42-27. The rebounding woes also showed on the offensive glass, where NMSU held a 21-10 advantage leading to 22 second-chance points.

Frankie Rodriguez may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.