Stephen F. Austin heads to Abilene searching for a statement

Stephen F. Austin has taken their show on the road to Abilene, Texas where they'll face off against the Wildcats of Abilene Christian on Wednesday night in an intriguing matchup, with each team in search of its fifth conference win.

The Lumberjacks come in hot off a 20-point victory over Incarnate World and four-straight since dropping their conference opener at Southeastern Louisiana. Abilene Christian is also feeling good, returning to Moody Coliseum after securing a couple wins in a two-game road stretch.

Wednesday's battle with the Wildcats will be part of a two week stretch in which the Lumberjacks are away from home: a challenging one, where they'll see some of the more prolific offenses in the conference. Abilene Christian (.483) enters the contest with the second-best field goal percentage in the league, trailing only the Lumberjacks (.487). After a week off, SFA will head north to square off with Central Arkansas, the team with the best points-generating offense (82 per game).

Although the next couple games might not be the easiest for their defensive-minded head coach, Kyle Keller believes this part of the season represents an opportunity for SFA to assert themselves and grow.

“I like our guys getting challenged," he said after Saturday's victory over Incarnate Word. "We need a challenge and we play better when we are challenged."

Keller and the 'Jacks will get that and more on Wednesday. After falling short in Abilene last season to the Wildcats in an upset, 69-60, the Lumberjacks will head into Moody Coliseum with revenge on their minds. They'll be competing with an improved version of ACU, though, one off to its best start in conference play (4-2) since rejoining the Southland Conference (and moving to the ranks of Division I) in 2013.

If you look at the Lumberjacks track record (15-3, 4-1), you’ll see a team who has answered the call to raise their game when required. If fans must complain about their tendency to play down to competition, they must also recognize that this group has played up when needed.

A big part of that early season success for the 'Jacks has been due to the efforts of their bench. With Shannon Bogues (runaway candidate for Sixth Man of the Year?) leading the way with 14 points per game, the Lumberjacks group of reserves is averaging a Southland leading 26 per game. Look for that depth to be a key factor against ACU, who, while certainly matching talent in many areas, hasn't seen the same success from their second group.

As Ty Charles continues to work back into the fold from offseason surgery and extended rehab, this contest may represent an opportunity for the senior to finally break out. A year ago, in the losing effort, Charles tallied 15 points and 14 rebounds, nearly willing the Lumberjacks back.

ACU will counter with junior guard Jaren Lewis and sophomore center Jalone Friday who, combined, average 27 points per game as a tremendous backcourt-frontcourt punch. Friday, in particular, should be fun to watch as he competes with SFA's smaller-but-quicker forward in TJ Holyfield.

Following the matchup in Abilene, the Lumberjacks will get a week off to get their legs underneath them before heading to Central Arkansas on January 24th where they'll face the league's greatest three-point shooter ever, in senior guard Jordan Howard.

SFA will return to William R. Johnson Coliseum on Saturday, January 27th, for a royal rumble against rival Sam Houston State.