Canete scores 23, Stephen F. Austin wins key Southland clash

Jan 11, 2018, 04:09 am

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Ivan Canete scored 23 points, including 3-pointers at key moments as Stephen F. Austin held off a Southland Conference challenge from New Orleans 78-68 Wednesday night.

Travin Thibodeaux led New Orleans with 24 points before fouling out with 34 seconds remaining, picking up his fourth and fifth fouls in an 18-second span as the Privateers cut a 15-point lead down to two three times late in the game.

The game pitted the winners of the last five regular season Southland championships. The Lumberjacks (14-3, 3-1) had four of those in a row -- until last season -- and are favored again despite defending champ New Orleans (7-9, 4-1) arriving with a 4-0 conference record.

Stephen F. Austin set a bruising tone early, taking a 15-2 lead that Canete helped start with a 3-pointer, and never trailed, although New Orleans closed to 64-62 with 4:33 to go. Canete canned a dagger of a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.

Stephen F. Austin is 81-3 at home since 2012-13 -- best mark in the nation.