HOUSTON, TX - Four players scored in double figures as the Sam Houston State women's basketball team used a balanced attack to earn a 76-60 victory over Jackson State Friday. With the win, the Bearkatsadvance to the finals of the Rice Invitational tournament Saturday at 7 p.m.
Khamra Echolls led the Bearkats with 12 points while Terrah Austin, Ray Alexander and Chanice Smith each tallied 10 points.
Whitney Smith and Brittany Brooks each added eight points. Smith led the team with eight rebounds.
"The victory really was a team effort. The girls battled hard and it was great to see such balanced scoring," Sam Houston head coach Brenda Nichols said. "Brittany Brooks shot well early, but they shut her down in the second half. To see some of the young kids come off the bench and take up the slack was exciting."
Sam Houston evens its season record at 3-3 with the victory. Jackson State dropped to 1-5.
The Kat women produced their best shooting night of the season, hitting .500 from the floor (35-of-70). Sam Houston forced 24 turnovers, picking up 22 points off the miscues. The Bearkats dominated inside with 48 points in the paint.
Sam Houston never trailed, jumping out to a 22-6 lead midway through the first half and leading 41-23 at intermission.
"We had the opportunity to give everyone on the team a lot of playing time tonight and I was pleased with how the newcomers responded," Nichols said. "The girls are really excited about being 3-3 and getting into the finals of the tournament."
The Bearkats will play host team Rice University at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The Owls were 74-47 winners over Texas-Pan American in Friday's late game at Tutor Fieldhouse. The victory was the first of the season for Rice which will bring a 1-6 record into the tournament finals.
