ABILENE -- Angela Beadle's 20 point, 13 rebound performance wasn't enough to lead the Sam Houston women's basketball team to victory over Abilene Christian as they fell 73-67 Saturday.

Abilene Christian took their largest lead of the game, 69-62, with less than four minutes left in the game and the Bearkats were unable to rally. SHSU got within a possession with 1:22 on the clock before ACU pulled away.

Sam Houston shot 44% from the field for the game but struggled in the final minute, missing their last six shots.

The game was extremely close throughout with the game tied 16 times and the lead changing 14 times.

Beadle nearly had a double-double in the first half but the Bearkats trailed 36-35 at the break. The junior center scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the first period.

The Kats had a massive advantage on the boards in the first half, outrebounding ACU 23-12 including a 10-4 advantage on the offensive end. SHSU had a slim advantage in second-chance points though, 10-9.

In a tightly contested first half there were eight ties and eight lead changes. Sam Houston had as much as a seven point lead in the opening minutes.

Amanda Barnes scored 11 points and Nyha Carter added 10 points. The Bearkats held a 47-30 rebounding advantage over ACU.

The Wildcats were led by Suzzy Dimba with 18 points and seven rebounds. Her sister Lizzy Dimba scored 10 points. Whitney West chipped in 16 points.

Sam Houston returns to Johnson Coliseum to host A&M-Corpus Christi Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The Kats will host Houston Baptist Saturday at 1:30 p.m.