Four other Bearkats scored in double figures as Chanice Smith and Britni Martin each totaled 19 points and Khamra Echols and Jaleesa Thomas scored 11.

The victory was the second in a row for Sam Houston and upped the Kats season record to 3-1. North Texas, who defeated Stephen F. Austin in their opener, dropped to 1-3.

The Eagles were led by Denetra Kellum who scored 30 points. Jasmine Godbolt added 14.

Up by one 13-12 five minutes into the contest, Sam Houston went on a 16-1 run to build a 29-13 lead on a three-point play by Sequeena Thomas with 11:21 in the first half.

The Eagles cut the margin to 10, 31-21 on a foul shot by Denetra Kellum at the 6:19 mark but the Kats closed out the half with a 14-7 run to go into the locker room at intermission up 45-28.

Sam Houston shot a blistering 53.3 percent from the field in the first half, going 16-of-30 including 5-of-8 three pointers. In the meantime, the SHSU defense forced 13 first half North Texas turnovers and held the Eagles to 12-of-39 shooting (30.8 per cent).

The Bearkats extended their lead to 21 points four minutes into the second half on a jumped by Sequeena Thomas.

But North Texas began full court pressure and whittled the Sam Houston lead down to eight, 77-69, on a layup by Kellum with 1:45 to play.

Two free throws by Martin, another pair of charity shots by Echols and a lay-up by Martin put the lead back in double digits.

"It was a little scary at the end," head coach Brenda Nichols said. "North Texas did a good job of creating some confusion with their press. But our older players came through with some clutch baskets. This was a good win for us."

Sam Houston travels to Lubbock for three games in the Texas Tech World Vision Classic this weekend.