Sam Houston Maintains Conference Lead with Hard-Fought Victory Over UTEP
Original Article from GoBearkats.com
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston took down UTEP 60-56 to stay atop of Conference USA on Saturday.
It was a messy, tough, and hard-fought game where neither team got much going on offense. The Bearkats however, were able to outlast the Miners and keep their home conference winning streak alive.
The Miners were in attack mode early in the game, going up by seven, and did not allow the Kats to get settled on offense. Sam Houston would eventually find their rhythm and even the score at 28 headed into the break.
The Bearkats came out of the locker room swinging in the second half, going on a 14-2 run and forcing UTEP to shoot 1 of 6 from the floor. The Miners would not go out quietly, however, and fought their way back within one point.
Teetering on a collapse, Sam Houston stripped UTEP of the basketball and Lamar Wilkerson took off on a breakaway dunk that would give the Bearkats all the momentum.
Marcus Boykin had the first crack to ice the game, but his layup came just short. Just then Damon Nicholas Jr. flew in to grab the offense rebound, which led to free throws for Sam Houston to salt the game away.
Wilkerson led the team with 16 points, and Davon Barnes added 11 points. Nicholas had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
Notes
- This was Nicholas’ first double-double of the season and the second of his career. His first career one coming against Troy on Nov. 20.
- The Kats wanted to attack the paint in this one, taking their fewest first-half 3-pointers with only six attempts. While the other 28 shot attempts were within the arc.
- Sam Houston felt the defensive pressure of the Miners all game, committing a season-high 22 turnovers.
Sam Houston will travel to Bowling Green to take on Western Kentucky on Thursday, tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
Official Box Score
