NACOGDOCHES, Texas (Interstat) — A blistering first-half shooting display from Stephen F. Austin created an insurmountable deficit and propelled the Lumberjacks to an 85-58 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at William R. Johnson Coliseum.

The most important part of the game was the opening 10 minutes, where Stephen F. Austin established immediate and overwhelming control. The Lumberjacks connected on their first three attempts from beyond the arc, sparking a 17-4 run that forced a Southeastern Louisiana timeout less than three minutes into the contest. The home team’s offensive efficiency was staggering, building a 25-point halftime lead of 48-23. Stephen F. Austin shot 57% from the field in the first half, including a devastating 10 of 18 from three-point range, while the Lions managed only 23 points on 33% shooting.

Stephen F. Austin improved to 19-3 overall and solidified its position atop the conference standings. Southeastern Louisiana fell to 6-16, suffering its second loss to the Lumberjacks this month.

The Lumberjacks’ offensive execution was clinical, finishing the game shooting 55% from the field and an exceptional 57% on three-pointers, making 16 of 28. Their offensive rating of 138.8 points per 100 possessions dwarfed the Lions’ mark of 98.2. Southeastern Louisiana, by contrast, struggled to find any consistent rhythm, committing 12 turnovers that led to 16 Stephen F. Austin points and recording only four assists as a team.

Keon Thompson led a balanced Stephen F. Austin attack with 15 points in just 20 minutes. Kam Burton added 14 points, and Marcus Scurry provided a significant spark off the bench with 12 points, including three three-pointers in the second half to help extinguish any fleeting notion of a Lions comeback. Ahamed Mohammed directed the offense with a game-high six assists.

For Southeastern Louisiana, Jalen Forrest scored 15 points and Jeremy Elyzee added 13. The Lions showed slightly more fight after halftime, scoring 35 points, but never cut the deficit below 20 points in the second half. The teams were nearly even in points in the paint, but Stephen F. Austin’s transcendent perimeter shooting made the difference.

The game was a stark contrast to the teams’ meeting earlier this month, a 10-point Stephen F. Austin win, and underscored the divergent trajectories of the two programs. The Lumberjacks, now winners of eight of their last nine, will host McNeese State on Monday. Southeastern Louisiana, which has lost four of its last five, travels to face Lamar on Monday.

An announced crowd of 3,946 watched the Lumberjacks put on an offensive showcase from the opening tip, a performance that aligned with pregame analytics which gave Stephen F. Austin a 90.9% probability to win. The early barrage ensured that probability became a reality long before the final buzzer.