Corpus Christi – Liberty roared from nine points down at halftime to defeat Sam Houston State 62-58 in a non-conference men's basketball game at the Corpus Christi Islander Classic Saturday afternoon.

James Thomas led Sam Houston with 10 points and eight rebounds. Antwan Burrus of Liberty was the game's top scorer with 15 points.

Sam Houston led by as many as 11 points in the first half and were up 30-21 at intermission. But Liberty opened the second period with a 13-4 run to tie the score 34-34 at the 16:34 mark.

The Bearkats were down eight points, 50-42, with 7:51 to play, but rallied to cut the margin to two, 59-57, on a three-pointer by Nathaniel Mason with 2:38 remaining.

A trey by Jabari Peters cut the margin to 61-58 with 57 seconds left, but Liberty ran the clock down to five seconds. Sam Houston missed a final three-pointer by Kaheem Ransom with two seconds remaining.

Paul Baxter added nine points and Michael Holyfield and Terrance Motley each scored eight for the Bearkats.

Sam Houston's next action is the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Classic Friday and Saturday in Nacogdoches.