Sam Houston men’s basketball suffered a close 78-75 defeat to Grand Canyon in the Western Conference Athletic Tournament semifinals on Friday at the Orleans Arena. The Bearkats had to endure an early surge from the Antelopes, who scored seven three-pointers to take a 21-14 lead midway through the first half. However, Sam Houston managed to stay in the game by matching Grand Canyon’s scoring with their own baskets.
Qua Grant had a game-high 24 points and was instrumental in cutting the lead to just four with a three-pointer, while freshman Anthony Wrzeszcz also contributed by making a free throw to bring the score within one possession. Both teams continued to trade baskets until Sam Houston made a decisive move just before halftime. Cameron Huefner made a pair of free throws to give the Bearkats their first lead of the game at 34-33 with 2:19 left in the half. He then hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to four, and Sam Houston finished the half with a 42-36 lead thanks to a three-pointer from Donte Powers, who along with Kaosi Ezeagu, scored 11 points.
The second half was similar to the first, with Grand Canyon hitting six more three-pointers, while Sam Houston found ways to counter. However, the Antelopes regained the lead and went up 66-59 with less than seven minutes left in the game. Grant responded with a jumper, and Damon Nicholas Jr. grabbed an offensive rebound and scored to cut the lead to one. Sam Houston tied the game and then took a 69-66 lead when Grant converted an old-fashioned three-point play with just 4:24 remaining.
Grand Canyon managed to answer and was up by three with only 51 seconds left in the game when Grant made a pair of free throws, bringing the score to 76-75. The Bearkats had several opportunities to either tie or take the lead but missed four free throws down the stretch, which forced them to foul in the final seconds, ultimately leading to their defeat.
