UCA Bears visit Wednesday
2/14/2012 9:14:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The SHSU men play host to Central Arkansas in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Bearkats enter the contest in fourth place in the Southland West Division standings and seventh overall in the league.
The top eight teams in the final regular season standings earn spots in the tournament at the Leonard E. Merrell Center in Katy. Quarterfinal play is scheduled for Wednesday, March 7. The winner of the finals Saturday, March 10, at 2 p.m. on ESPN2 will receive the league's NCAA Tournament automatic bid.
"All season long our goal has been to fight, scratch and claw our way into the tournament," SHSU head coach Jason Hooten said. "We've been playing well lately. This is another opportunity for us."
A key for the Bearkats the last few weeks has been a balanced scoring attack that sees four players averaging in double figures in Southland Conference action.
Konner Tucker (12.1 points per game), Steven Werner (10.9), Demarcus Gatlin (10.4) and Marcus James (10.0) have each made key contributions in the Bearkats' victories along with Darius Gatson who is averaging 6.9 points and 4.4 assists.
Werner scored 23 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in a 61-53 victory at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last Saturday. Gatlin scored 17 points including a jumper from the right baseline for the game-winner with four seconds remaining in a 57-55 win at Southeastern Louisiana.
Central Arkansas is led by 6-5 guard LaQuentin Miles who is averaging 15.8 points per game.
The battle with the Bears is one of two home games for Sam Houston State men's basketball this week.
The Kats will play host to the University of Toledo in the Sears ESPN BracketBusters non-conference title Saturday at 2 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum.
Tickets for all Sam Houston State home men's basketball games are available on the internet at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU 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.
