LAKE CHARLES, LA - Sophomore Bre Agnew scored a career high 21 points including a jumper with 1:32 to play for the go-ahead basket as Sam Houston defeated McNeese State 87-84 to clinch the Bearkats' first berth in the Southland Conference post-season women's tournament since 2004.
Sam Houston (9-16 6-7 Southland) had five players score in double figures as seniors Whitney Smith and Brittany Brooks each scored 15, another senior Ray Alexander added 14 points and freshman Chanice Smith totaled 14.
McNeese (6-20 2-11 Southland) was led by Kendra Wells with 31 points.
"Both teams knew the stakes going in," Sam Houston State head coach Brenda Nicholls said. "We came out slow and ugly in the first half, but we regrouped in the lockerroom and settled down and played our game."
The contest was tied five times with six lead changes. McNeese led by as many as 10 points in the first half and held a 43-36 lead at intermission.
The Cowboys were up by five points, 73-68, with 3:16 to play when Sam Houston roared back with a 12-4 run. Agnew's jumper with 1:32 to play put Sam Houston up by two and Brittany Brooks scored on a 3-pointer to give the Kats a five-point lead.
"Bre Agnew had a great game," Nicholls said. "She posted and boarded like a giant. Also, having five players in double figures is huge."
The Bearkat women hit 31-of-70 for 41 percent shooting.
Sam Houston State now has won four of its last five games. The Bearkats continue a two-game road swing with a Southland Conference contest Saturday at Texas Hall in Arlington against UTA.
