KATY ? Texas Arlington shot 50 percent from the floor, and the Sam Houston State Bearkats went on a nine-minute field goal drought in a 72-66 loss to the Mavericks in the second round of the Southland Conference Tournament.

With 1:35 left to play in the first half Ryan Bright hit a 3-pointer to put the Kats up 40-34. The Kats looked to extend even more at the end of the half, but Jeremy Thomas had a basket waived off when a charge was called.

The Mavericks responded with a 3-point play to cut the halftime lead to 40-37. The Mavericks then opened the second half scoring the first 15 points to cap an 18-0 run.

“It is had win a game in this league when you let the opposing team shoot 50 percent,” SHSU head coach Bob Marlin said. “Especially when you go that long without scoring.”

The Bearkats were able to get the deficit down to three on two occasions, but never could retake the lead against the seventh-seeded Mavericks.

Bright and fellow senior John Gardiner had strong games for the Bearkats. Bright scored a season high 19 points and pulled down 13 rebounds while Gardiner scored 12 on 5-of-6 shooting.

The two combined for 12 field goals while the rest of the team had just 11. Seniors Shamir McDaniel and Jeremy Thomas were a combined 0-for-8 in the game.

The Mavericks will meet the fifth-seeded Northwestern State Demons in Sunday's championship game.