Men's basketball hosts Ecclesia Saturday at 2 p.m.
12/9/2009 6:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The contest will be Sam Houston's final outing against a non-NCAA Division I opponent this season. The Bearkats defeated LeTourneau, Texas College and Mid-America Christian earlier this year. In the 12 years that Bob Marlin has coached the Bearkats Sam Houston stands 30-0 against non-Division I foes.
The Royals compete as a member of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association. Ecclesia stands 9-3 for the year. The Royals are led by 6-8 Matt McCoy and 6-4 three-point shooting specialist Eric Womack.
"We don't know much about them but they have some guys that can shoot the ball," SHSU head coach Bob Marlin said. "They are athletic. They're not as big as some of the teams we have played but they are effective. They will shoot a lot of threes and they are really well coached."
Sam Houston will be seeking to get back on the winning track after Louisiana-Lafayette ended a three-game winning streak for the Kats with a 95-85 win at Johnson last Saturday afternoon.
"We need more energy, focus and consistancy," Marlin said. "We have to play better defense than we did last week. We worked on defense Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week exclusively. We need consistancy offensively and defensively."
Following Saturday's game, the Bearkats will break for final exams. Sam Houston's next game will be a road trip to face the Auburn Tigers on Sunday afternoon Dec. 20. The Bearkats will play their final December home game on Tuesday Dec. 22 when Sam Houston plays host to Florida International University and their new coach, former NBA All-Star Isiah Thomas.
With a 5-3 record, the Bearkats are led by 6-1 senior guard Corey Allmon from Oxon Hill, MD. Allmond leads the Southland in three-point baskets per game (3.4) and stands fifth in scoring with 16.4 points per contest.
His backcourt partner, 5-1 senior point guard Ashton Mitchell from New Orleans, LA, leads the Southland in assists (5.4) and is averaging 13.1 points per game.
Five other Bearkats rank in Southland individual statistics categories. Junior guard Lance Pevehouse is No. 3 in steals (1.9), junior forward Josten Crow stands No. 5 in assists (3.9), sophomore guard Drae Murray is No. 7 in assists (3.9), senior forward Preston Brown ranks No. 9 in free throw percentage (.824) and junior post player Gilberto Clavell is No. 10 in field goal percentage (.507).
For the Ecclesia game Saturday afternoon, Sam Houston makes fans an incredible offer - four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four sodas - all for just $28.
This "Saturday Afternoon Family Pack" for Bearkat men's basketball represents almost a 50 percent savings over the normal $52 cost of four tickets, four hot dogs, four popcorns and four sodas. A minimum of four tickets must be purchased. Additional tickets may be purchased at $7 each.
Fans can purchase a "Family Pack" in advance online at www.gobearkats.com or at Johnson Coliseum the day of the game.
Sam Houston students can win a free Bearkat basketball t-shirt just by attending the three Sam Houston basketball home games in December.
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.
All Sam Houston State students are admitted free to Bearkat games at Johnson Coliseum on presentation of their BearkatOneCard. The student gate at Johnson Coliseum is Gate 27.
For more information about home sports events at Sam Houston State, go on-line to www.gobearkats.com
