Lamar Beats SFA, Reaches Tournament Final for First Time Since 2000

Lamar Beats SFA, Reaches Tournament Final for First Time Since 2000

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ESPN3 REPLAY

By Brandon C. Williams
Southland.org

KATY, Texas -- Once Lamar got defensive, Stephen F. Austin's scoring production became offensive.

The Cardinals unveiled a Red Curtain around the basket on Thursday night, as a 14-1 run in the second half sent coach Pat Knight's squad to Saturday's championship game with a 55-44 victory over an SFA team that had defeated them two weeks ago.

Lamar (22-11) awaits the winner of Thursday's second semifinal between UT Arlington and McNeese State.

"I think it is (our best defensive effort of the season)," said Knight. "Our zone worked also. The guys paid attention to the scouting report for man (-to-man) situations that hurt us last time, and it really worked."

SFA (20-12), which shot 55 percent in Wednesday's win over Sam Houston State, found the basket to be as cold as the sudden drop in temperatures outside Merrell Center, particularly during an 11:04 stretch in the second half in which the Lumberjacks failed to score a field goal.

The Lumberjacks shot just 30 percent on the night, and were held without a 3-pointer until connecting on three long range attempts in the final 1:51. 

"I can't explain why we were 16 of 53," said SFA coach Danny Kaspar. "I just think we didn't have it from the outside, or anywhere, for that matter."

Leading 30-25 at the 17:04 mark, Lamar proceeded to harass SFA, attacking passing lanes and collapsing the interior to limit the impact of Lumberjacks big men Jereal Scott and Taylor Smith. SFA managed just three free throws from Scott during the 11:04 dry spell before a dunk from Smith at the 6:03 mark finally delivered a brief respite from the cold snap.

By then, the Cardinals had established a 44-30 lead, built in part by the play of point guard Anthony Miles, who scored a game-high 17 points and added seven rebounds, five assists and five steals to his night.

"In a game like this, you gotta leave it all on the line," said Miles. "We knew what they wanted to do."

"He's been our quarterback," Knight added of Miles. "He has to be an extension of the coaching staff, and he's done a good job of that so far. He's been a great leader for us."

Miles' play was just one branch of an experienced tree that helped carry the Cardinals on Thursday, as all but four of Lamar's points came from seniors.

Despite shooting 38 percent in the first half, the Lumberjacks dictated the pace by slowing the ball down and maximizing possessions. The strategy worked, especially when SFA got the ball into the hands of 6-6 junior forward Taylor Smith, who scored 10 straight points.

Once Smith left for a breather, SFA worked the ball down low for senior post Jereal Scott to finish. His jump hook at the 2:04 mark of the half put the Lumberjacks within 22-19, but Lamar successfully blanked SFA the rest of the way.

"It was frustrating," said Scott, who played his final game in an SFA uniform and finished with nine points and eight rebounds in 28 minutes. "They did a good job at it. It just came down to us not capitalizing."
 
 
Postgame Quotes

Lamar head coach Pat Knight
On the team's defense...

"I think it is our best defensive game all season. Our zone worked and the guys paid attention to the scouting report on the man-to-man situation. We changed up our zone that really hurt us the last time [against Stephen F. Austin] and it really worked. We were really effective."

On making it to the championship game...
"When I took this job, it helped that I had good players. I wanted to win right away. I want to build a championship program, and to do that, you have to win. This is the type of first season that I wanted. You have to give these seniors credit."

 
Lamar senior guard Anthony Miles

On the team effort against Stephen F. Austin...

"Our effort was great. In a game like this, you have to put everything on the line. We knew what we wanted to do, and coach did a good job of telling us what to do defensive wise. We just went out there and executed out there as best as possible."

 
Lamar senior forward Charlie Harper

On his play the last couple of games...

"My coaches and my teammates told me to step up my game. They have seen games where I have had 17 or 18 rebounds, so they just told me to be a lot more aggressive this postseason, so that is what I have been trying to do. The team leans on us seniors a lot, and the team can only go as far as we go. As long as we are leading them in the right direction, then they can follow."

 
Stephen F. Austin head coach Danny Kaspar

Opening statement...

"I want to congratulate Lamar. They played a good basketball game tonight. They seemed to be a little more focused and assertive than we were. I also want to thank my team. We picked up nine new guys this season, and we had our troubles before Christmas, and I think we are something like 15-5 since Christmas. It has been a roller coaster, but we finished 20-12 on the year and finished second in the conference. I am really proud of these guys despite of what happened today. There is a lot to be proud of with this team."