Stephen F.Austin 67, Northwestern St. 59

2/16/2008 5:37 PM

NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) -Josh Alexander had 21 points and 8 rebounds and Stephen F. Austin led all the way, beating Northwesern State 67-59.

SFA (21-3, 9-2 Southland) sank 10 of its first 11 shots to go ahead 21-6 and led by as many as 18 points on the way to a 41-30 halftime advantage.

The Lumberjacks hit 60 percent (15-25) of their shots in the first half but only 37.5 percent (9-24) in the second. However, the Demons (11-14, 7-4) were unable to get closer than six points.

Alexander and Gerald Fonzie each made three 3-pointers and had 13 points at halftime. Fonzie finished with 16 points and Matt Kingsley added 17 for SFA, which won its sixth straight while ending Northwestern's streak at four.

Trey Gilder had 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots for Northwestern. The Demons made a season-low 10 turnovers but sank only 41.7 percent of their shots and got only 7 free throw attempts.