CANCUN, MEXICO - Led by the backcourt duo of Corey Allmond and Ashton Mitchell who combined for 33 points, Sam Houston State out-scored Oral Roberts 29-18 in the final 11 minutes to lead the Bearkats to a 71-65 victory in the Cancun Challenge at the Moon Palace Resort.
The victory lifts Sam Houston to 3-2 for the year and comes over an ORU squad that defeated Stanford in Palo Alto, Ca. last Wednesday.
"It was a good win against a good team," Sam Houston State head coach Bob Marlin said. "We shot it much better from inside tonight, plus we were able to take advantage of some turnovers and turn them into points."
Oral Roberts held a five-point lead, 47-42 with 11:14 to play. A lay-up by Trevon Charles started a 17-4 run for the Kats as Sam Houston went ahead 59-51 on a jumper by Antuan Bootle.
The Golden Eagles cut the margin to one point, 66-65 after a basket by Kevin Ford in the paint. The Bearkats secured the victory as Mitchell sank a pair of free throws with 51 seconds left and Preston Brown picked up a three-point play on a lay-up and free throw with 25 seconds remaining. After a missed three point shot, Lance Pevehouse completed the contest with two free throws with seven seconds left.
They came at us hard late and we answered every time," Marlin said. "They were doing a good job on Corey and denying him the ball and he didn't panic. He drove and was able to get inside and he got himself to the free-throw line."
Allmond scored 17 points and Mitchell tallied 16 to lead Sam Houston. Oral Roberts, now 2-3 for the year, was led by Michael Craion with 14 points.
A key to the game was Sam Houston forcing ORU into 17 turnovers while committing only 10 miscues. The Bearkats scored 21 points off of Golden Eagle turnovers.
Sam Houston shot 28-of-56 from the floor (50 percent) but were only 1-of-12 from three point range. The Kats also capitalized on 14-of-18 free throws.
Josten Crow, Gilberto Clavell, Charles and Brown each scored six points for Sam Houston. ORU had three other players in double figures with Ford and Warren Niles each scoring 12 points and Dominique Morrison totaling 11.
Sam Houston State now will face Rider in the 3:30 p.m. contest Wednesday at the Moon Palace Resort. Rider defeated Florida State 88-73 Tuesday.
"They opened the season with a big win in Starkville (against Mississippi State)," Marlin said about Rider. "They are as good of a team as we have played outside of Kentucky. It will be a tough game for us and hopefully it will come down to the wire just like this one."
The Bearkats return home Monday, Nov. 30 for a 7:30 p.m. contest at Johnson Coliseum. Attending the contest can help Sam Houston students earn a free T-Shirt.
The first 500 SHSU students to attend any combination of three home men's or women's basketball games will win a Bearkat basketball t-shirt courtesy of Student Activities and Bearkat Athletics.
Attendees will be tracked via the BearkatOneCard. For the purposes of the promotion, the men's and women's basketball doubleheader on Monday, November 30, will count as one event only. Sam Students receive free admission to BEarkat home games on presentation of their BearkatOneCard.
Huntsville area fans can purchase tickets on-line now at www.gobearkats.com or by contacting the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office at the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
To purchase tickets to Bearkat athletic events, go to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Sam Houston State ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is 936 294-1729.
