NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Southland saw another storied rivalry matchup take the national stage Tuesday afternoon in the second of five men's basketball games featured on the CBS Sports Network this season. This time the spotlight shined on East Texas where SFA hosted Northwestern State in the teams' second matchup of the season. The Lumberjacks came away with the same result as found in the first installment, but got everything they could handle in a 69-67 win over the Demons.

Star senior guard Keon Thompson carried the Lumberjacks to victory, pouring in 27 points and six rebounds while Lateef Patrick Jr. added 13. Chip Brunt's career-best 19 points led the Demons' scoring and Micah Thomas tallied 18. 

SFA started hot, racing out to an 18-3 lead in the game's early minutes. Northwestern State struggled to find the bottom of the net initially, but Brunt jumpstarted the Demon attack and willed them back to within five before halftime. That included a layup with three seconds to spare in the opening frame, making the deficit a 37-32 difference. 

The Lumberjacks rode Thompson's hot hand through the second half. Northwestern State moved back within three in the opening minutes of the second half but SFA would quickly separate and keep the Demons at a distance. Thompson knocked in a jumper to put the 'Jacks up 59-47 with 9:22 to play. From there, Northwestern State tightened up their defensive effort, inching within three after a Willie Williams layup with 34 seconds to go. 

Thompson then stepped to the line, draining two free throws that turned out to be crucial additions to the final total after Chris Mubiru hit a three as time expired. The moves SFA to 17-3 on the season and 11-1 in Southland play while Northwestern State drops to 6-14 and 4-7 on the conference slate. 

The Southland returns to CBS Sports Network on February 2 when Texas A&M-Corpus Christi hosts UIW.