Led by Demarcus Gatlin with 15 points,Sam Houston broke open a tight game late in the second half to leave Lake Charles, La., with a 72-57 Southland Conference men's basketball win.

Gatlin, who posted a solid seven-of-seven on free throws, scored seven points down the stretch to finish off the Cowboys.

Darius Gatson and Paul Baxter each added 11 points. Gatson hit a trio of three-pointers including two early in the second half.

The Bearkats had a 28-27 lead at halftime and it remained close for most of the way. McNeese tied the game at 39 with 15:29 left in the game. The Kats then rattled off three consecutive three-pointers by McKinney, Bond and Mason.

"A win for us is never easy," Coach Hooten said. "We just played hard. This team continues to surprise me and if we continue to make shots we could be pretty good."

McNeese State got within a basket at the 7:35 mark before the Bearkats finally pulled away for good. The Kats got to the free-throw line and made ten-of-ten to extend the lead out to 15 points.

The last field goal by McNeese State was a three-pointer by Ledrick Eackles at the 9:53 mark. Eackles led McNeese with 18 points and six rebounds.

Michael Holyfield had 11 rebounds including five on the offensive side. The Bearkat team ended up with 20 offensive rebounds for the game.

Sam Houston State now stands 10-6 for the season and 3-1 in conference action. The Bearkats have won seven of their last eight games.

The Kats are back in action at home next week with Central Arkansas Thursday night and Oral Roberts Saturday afternoon.