Senior forward Thomas Walkup scored 19 points, leading Stephen F. Austin to an 82-60 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the championship game of the Southland Conference Tournament on Saturday night at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy, Texas.

Freshman forward Clide Geffrard Jr. had 18 points and eight rebounds for Stephen F. Austin (27-5), which secured an NCAA Tournament bid for the third year in a row.

Sophomore guard Ty Charles had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Lumberjacks.

Sophomore guard Joe Kilgore scored 14 points for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (25-7). Junior forward Rashawn Thomas had 11 points and nine rebounds.

The Islanders opened a 6-0 lead, but it wasn't long before the Lumberjacks took control. The score was tied when Geffrard made a 3-pointer to ignite a 25-2 run that put the Lumberjacks up 35-12 with just under six minutes to play in the first half.

Stephen F. Austin took a commanding 49-28 lead into the break and maintained a comfortable advantage throughout the second half.

The Lumberjacks went up 55-29 on a layup by senior guard Demetrius Floyd after halftime. The Islanders got within 18 on several occasions but couldn't get any closer.