Men face UTSA in San Antonio
1/27/2012 9:41:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The two teams meet Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Convocation Center in the Alamo City.
Four points are the difference between the Bearkats' 2-4 Southland record and a 5-1 mark that would put the team in second place in the Southland West Division.
The Bearats lost to UTSA 62-60 in their Southland opener Jan. 8, fell by one point 50-49 to A&M-Corpus Christi Saturday and dropped a 67-66 overtime decision at Nacogdoches Wednesday.
The Roadrunners (13-7) come into Saturday's game with a four-game winning streak and victories in seven of its last eight games.
Sam Houston (8-12) is on a two-game losing streak after wins at Nicholls and at home with Texas State.
"We've had some bad luck but the kids keep fighting," Sam Houston head coach Jason Hooten said. "They fought their way back from 15 points down to take SFA into overtime Wednesday. We've just got to keep working to get better."
The all-time series between the Bearkats and the Roadrunners now is tied at 21 victories apiece.
UTSA has won the last two meetings, edging the Bearkats 62-60 in Huntsville on Jan. 8 to start 2012 Southland action and kncoking SHSU out of last year's league post-season tournament with a 61-45 victory in the Southland semifinals.
Konner Tucker leads the Kats in scoring with an 11.5 average. He tallied 20 points in the loss at SFA Wednesday.
Demarcus Gatlin also is averaging in double figures with 10.7 points per game.
UTSA has won 37 of its last 47 in the Convocation. Sophomore forward Jeromie Hill was named Southland Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 18.0 points and 7.5 rebounds and shooting 62.5 percent in victories against Northwestern State and Texas State
The Roadrunners are unanimous picks to win the Southland Conference West Division in the league's head coaches' preseason poll.
KSAM 101.7 FM will carry live play-by-play action Saturday afternoon.
Sam Houston State returns to Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Wednesday, Feb. 4, to play host to McNeese State.
Sam Houston State students will have the opportunity to win great prizes in The Villas on Sycamore Halftime Knockout Contest. Students may sign up at the Villas on Sycamore leasing office prior to February 1 or show up on game night at register at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum entrance.
Tickets for all Sam Houston State men's basketball home games are available online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU ticket office at (936) 294-1729.
