Texas Tech used a strong second half to hand the Sam Houston State men's basketball team its first loss of the season with an 87-76 defeat in Lubbock on Monday night.

The Red Raiders did their damage from 3-point range in the second half and the Bearkats didn't have an answer. Texas Tech hit five 3-pointers, including three consecutive at one point in the second half and built a 10-point advantage into a 19-point lead.

After trailing by 10, 40-30 at the half and early in the second half, cut the lead to just five. But over the next eight minutes, the Red Raiders quickly pulled away building a 24-point lead.

The Kats were able to cut back into the lead, getting it down to 11, but they never got any closer.

The Kats turned the ball over 18 times in the game and shot 44 percent from the floor.

Corey Almond, who led the Kats with 24 points in the season opener on Friday, got off to a hot start Monday, connecting on three shots from long range and scoring 13 points in the opening 20 minutes. Almond finished the night with 23 points, hitting five 3-pointers.

Lance Pevehouse scored 12 for the Kats, hitting 3-of-4 from outside and DeLuis Ramirez recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bearkats will be back in action Thursday at home against North Texas at 7 p.m.. The game will be broadcast live on Bearkat Vision.