Miami, Fla. -- Led by Josten Crow who scored 23 points and Gilberto Clavell who added 16, Sam Houston State roared back from an eight-point deficit with 12 minutes to play to pick up a 74-71 road non-conference victory over Florida International Saturday night.
The Bearkats, now 6-3 for the year, outscored FIU28-17 in the final 12 minutes. Crow started the rally with a three-pointer at the 11:47 mark and a two-point jumper a minute later to cut the Panthers' margin to 54-51.
Clavell tied the contest 54-54 with an old fashioned three point play, scoring on a layup with 9:47 to play and adding a free throw after being fouled on the attempt.
After FIU answered with a basket, Nafis Richardson put the Bearkats ahead to stay with a three-point basket at the 8:43 mark.
Sam Houston kept up the pressure with treys by Crow and Marcus Williams, a jumper by Williams and a layup by Clavell as the Kats never gave up the lead the rest of the way down the stretch.
Florida International dropped to 4-6 for the season as the loss extended the Panthers' losing streak to five. The first four of the defeats in the string came on the road.
Saturday's contest was a roller-coaster affair with an ebb and flow consisting of alternating runs.
After four early lead changes, the Bearkats went on a 17-2 run to go up 23-10 on a Williams' three-point field goal. FIU bounced back to outscore Sam Houston 23-7 to go up 33-30 at intermission. The Panthers maintained their lead through the first eight minutes of the second period, but never were up by more than eight points before the Kats began their final rally.
Clavell led Sam Houston with 10 rebounds as the Bearkats out-boarded FIU 42-36.
The Bearkats continue their holiday road swing Tuesday when Sam Houston meets the University of Houston in a rematch of the pair's overtime battle in Huntsville December 4. The Kats and the Cougars tangle in Houston Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Next, Sam Houston heads to El Paso, Tex., to participate in the Bank of the West Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational and play a road game with tournament host UTEP. The Kats face Air Force on Tuesday, Dec. 28 and Western New Mexico on Wednesday, Dec. 29 in the tournament. The Miners and Sam Houston face off on Sunday, Jan. 2.
Sam Houston opens the defense of its Southland Conference championship on Sautrday, Jan. 8, with a road game encounter at UTSA. The Bearkats' first Southland home game will be a 7 p.m. tilt with UT-Arlington on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.
Tickets for Sam Houston men's basketball are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets.
Fans also may purchase tickets at the Sam Houston athletic 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 is (936) 294-1764.
