Thibodaux, La. - Sequeena Thomas scored a career high 26 points to lead Sam Houston to an 81-66 women's basketball victory over Nicholls Saturday to give the Bearkats their first 3-0 Southland Conference start in seven years.
Thomas went 11-of-20 from the field including four three-point baskets as she posted her fourth 20-plus point performance of the 2010-11 season. Britni Martin added 16 points. Khamra Echols and Chanice Smith tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively to give Sam Houston (9-8, SLC 3-0) four players in double figures.
Nicholls (5-11, SLC 0-3) was led by Ricshanda Bickham with 19 points.
The Colonels scored the first five points of the game but Sam Houston bounced back to tie the contest twice before a jumper by Smith with 10:52 to go in the first half gave the Kats a 19-17 lead. SHSU never trailed again.
Sam Houston finished the half with a 22-14 run to lead 35-26 at intermission. Jasmine Johnson's jumper put the Kats up by 17, 58-41, with 9:26 to go.
Nicholls cut the margin to six points, 64-58, with six to play but could come no closer.
Thomas led Sam Houston with seven rebounds and her play helped the Bearkats outscore Nicholls 36-24 in the paint. The Bearkat women are 7-1 this year in games they win the scoring battle inside.
Sam Houston returns to Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on Wednesday when the Bearkats host Texas State in a 6:30 p.m. contest.
Tickets for all Sam Houston home athletic events are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets. Fans also may purchase tickets at the Bearkat 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) 294-1729.
