NACOGDOCHES, Texas (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks delivered a commanding performance to dismantle the visiting Arkansas State Red Wolves 90 to 65 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at William R. Johnson Coliseum.

The result defied both the betting markets and statistical models, as Arkansas State entered the contest as a narrow pregame favorite and was projected by Interstat’s ELO system with an 86 percent probability of victory. Instead, the Lumberjacks improved their early season record to 2 wins and 0 losses, while the Red Wolves fell to an even 1 win and 1 loss before an announced crowd of 1,923.

From the opening tip, Stephen F. Austin seized control, exploiting the Red Wolves’ defense with a relentless offensive assault. The Lumberjacks built a commanding 46 to 31 lead by halftime, leaving Arkansas State with a significant deficit to overcome in the second half. The Red Wolves showed a slight uptick in production after the break, scoring 34 points, but they were unable to slow down the Lumberjacks, who added another 44 points to their tally to secure the decisive 25-point victory. The combined score of 155 points fell just over the pregame over/under line of 152.5.

The Lumberjacks’ triumph was spearheaded by a dominant and efficient team effort, particularly from guard Keon Thompson. Thompson orchestrated the Stephen F. Austin offense masterfully, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 26 points while also dishing out a team-high 7 assists and pulling down 5 rebounds in his 31 minutes on the court. His performance set the tempo and consistently broke down the Arkansas State defense.

Complementing Thompson’s backcourt brilliance was a monumental effort in the paint from forward Jerald Colonel. Colonel fell just shy of a double-double, amassing 9 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. His most impactful contribution came on the defensive end, where he registered a staggering 6 blocked shots, altering countless others and effectively shutting down the lane for the Red Wolves. His presence was a primary reason for Arkansas State’s offensive struggles.

Chrishawn Christmas provided another formidable frontcourt presence for the Lumberjacks, nearly notching a double-double of his own with 8 points and 10 rebounds. Alongside Colonel, Christmas helped Stephen F. Austin establish a clear rebounding advantage and interior dominance throughout the contest.

The Stephen F. Austin offense also received significant scoring punches from Lateef Patrick Jr. and Narit Chotikavanic. Patrick Jr. poured in 17 points and added 2 assists in 23 minutes, while Chotikavanic contributed 14 points and 3 rebounds in an equally efficient 23-minute outing. This balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Red Wolves to contain.

For Arkansas State, the night was defined by an inability to match the Lumberjacks’ intensity and execution. Joey Chammaa was a bright spot, leading the Red Wolves in scoring with 17 points in 25 minutes of action. Jalen Hampton added 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Chudi Dioramma provided 7 points and 4 rebounds off the bench. Christian Harmon chipped in 8 points and 2 assists, and Jaxon Ellingsworth worked hard on the glass, securing a team-high 6 rebounds.

The loss serves as a stark contrast to Arkansas State’s season opener just four days prior, an 89 to 85 road victory over Ohio. That momentum was completely halted by Stephen F. Austin’s comprehensive performance. The Lumberjacks, meanwhile, continued the hot start they began with a 103 to 76 rout of Millsaps on Monday.

Looking ahead, both teams face quick turnarounds. Arkansas State will look to rebound on the road Tuesday, Nov. 11, against Missouri State. Their subsequent schedule includes home games against Christian Brothers and Jacksonville State, along with challenging road trips to Saint Mary’s, SMU, and Arkansas-Little Rock.

Stephen F. Austin also hits the road for their next test, traveling to face Rice on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Their upcoming slate features a home contest against Abilene Christian and a demanding western road swing to Fresno State and Pepperdine later in the month.

The game at William R. Johnson Coliseum ultimately served as a statement win for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, who convincingly overturned the odds to hand the Arkansas State Red Wolves a lopsided defeat and continue their unbeaten start to the 2025-2026 campaign.