Stephen F. Austin's Lumberjacks claimed a 70-55 Southland Conference basketball victory over McNeese State here in a rare Sunday afternoon outing.

            The victory lifted SFA's record to 15-5 overall and to 5-2 in league play. McNeese fell to 7-13 and 2-4.

            The Cowboys had been hoping to get back into the running for the eastern division title with a victory in this game.  However, they had first half problems at the free throw line and in the second half had trouble keeping the Lumberjacks away from the boards and getting second effort goals.

            "They've always been a top team in the league and they came ready to play," McNeese coach Dave Simmons said about SFA.  "We didn't rebound and we had some problems at the foul line early.  I thought we gave a good effort but we're just going to have to play harder."

            The Cowboys led early in the game, taking a 7-2 lead just over five minutes gone in the contest.  SFA took a 10-9 lead at the 11:10 point on a layup by Eddie Williams and were never headed.  The Lumberjacks went on an 18-8 run and were up 28-17 at the end of the half.

            Neither team shot that well in the first half but McNeese made only four of eight free throws (missing the first four) while the Lumberjacks were three of four.

            In the second half the Cowboys made a run, getting to within five at 41-36 at the 11:12 mark on a 19-11 romp.  SFA, however, came back with a 10-4 run and stayed ahead in double figures the rest of the way.

            The Lumberjacks shot 55.6 percent from the floor (15 of 27) in the second half while McNeese hit on 14 of 27 for a 51.9 percent.  The Cowboys also made nine of 10 free throws.

            Jeral Scott led SFA and the game in scoring with 18 points (14 in the second half)  while teammate Williams had 17 (11 in the second period) and Jordan Glynn had 10 points along with a game high 12 rebounds.

            Patrick Richard led the Cowboys with 15 points, 11 in the second half, and C. J. Collins added 12.  Elbryan Neal came off the bench to lead the team in rebounding with six while P. J. Alawoya had five.

            SFA held a 35-30 edge in rebounding but held the Cowboys to mainly one shot by collecting 19 offensive rebounds.