LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) Ty Charles scored seven of his 13 points in the final 90 seconds as Stephen F. Austin fought off a determined McNeese State to open defense of its Southland Conference crown with an 80-75 win on Saturday.
SFA (11-3, 1-0) has won two straight conference titles and 23 consecutive conference victories over two years.
Demetrious Floyd also had 13 points, Thomas Walkup added 12 and Clide Geffrard had 11 for SFA.
The Lumberjacks were up 50-39 with 15:30 left. McNeese State charged back and took its first lead 60-59 when Shaun Johnson nailed two straight 3-pointers and Keelan Garrett split a pair of free throws with 7:58 remaining. SFA's Trey Pinkney nailed a trey to retake the lead.
Johnson hit a 3 with 1:03 left to tie at 73. Charles answered with a 3-pointer and SFA held on for the win.
Garrett had 26 points for McNeese State (6-6, 0-1).
