Rider
Men's basketball tops Rider 80-68
11/25/2009 7:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Senior point guard Ashton Mitchell led all scorers with 28 points. Junior center Gilberto Clavell also posted a season high with 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Bearkats claimed the Mayan Division Championship with Mitchell earning MVP honors and Corey Allmond getting all-tournament recognition.
"Starting in Rupp Arena with 24,000 fans to this, with 235," SHSU head coach Bob Marlin said after his team beat Rider. "Quite an adventure."
Sam Houston never led in the first half, falling behind by as many as nine points, 19-10 with 13:18 before half.
A layup by Mitchell, however, started an 11-4 run in the final four minutes of the period as Allmond's three-pointer at the 0:51 mark tied the contest 33-33.
The Bearkats remained hot in second half, outscoring Rider 19-10 in the first 12 minutes of the period and never looking back. Sam Houston outscored Rider 47 to 35 in the second period to up its record to 4-2.
Sam Houston had another outstanding evening from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 39 three point field goals. Mitchell was 6-of-9 from three-point range and Allmond hit 4-of-10 treys. The Bearkats shot 41.5 percent overall from the field (27-of-65).
Lance Pevehouse also pulled down seven boards as Sam Houston out-rebounded Rider 38-35. The Bearkats forced Rider into 17 turnovers while only committing 10 themselves, building a 21-14 edge in points off turnovers. Sam Houston's edge on the boards created 16 second chance points while Rider had only four off rebounds.
Allmond added 14 points. The Bearkats defeated Oral Roberts 71-65 on Tuesday in their first game at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun. Sam Houston's only losses this season have come on the road to No. 4 Kentucky and defending Horizon League champion Cleveland State.
Ryan Thompson led Rider (3-3) with 23 points while Novar Gadson added 16. Rider earned their spot in the contest against Sam Houston with an 88-73 victory over Florida A&M on Tuesday.
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.
