Bridgeport, Conn. – Kaheem Ransom scored 18 points and DeMarcus Gatlin added 14 as Sam Houston State defeated Fairfield University 74-60 at the Coaches Versus Cancer Tournament Saturday night at Webster Bank Arena.

The victory ups the Sam Houston men's basketball record to 3-1 while the Stags dropped to 1-3.

Up by only two points at halftime 35-33, Sam Houston shot 60 percent from the field (13-of-20) and out-scored Fairfield 39-27 in the second half. The Kats led by as many as 20 points with seven minutes left in the game.

Michael Holyfield, Sam Houston's 6-11 senior center, led the team with six rebounds as the SHSU men out-boarded the Stags 33-25.

Ransom went 4-of-5 from three point range and was 5-for-7 from the field overall. Dakarai Henderson and Aurimas Majauskas added nine and eight points, respectively.

Marcus Gilbert led Fairfield with 14 points.

The two teams were tied four times with three lead changes in the first half. A three-pointer by Ransom 56 seconds into the second period put Sam Houston up 38-35 and the Kats never trailed again.

A dunk by Holyfield gave the SHSU men their biggest lead, 64-44 with 7:09 to play.

Sam Houston completes play in the tournament Sunday when they take on Wofford at 11 a.m. Central Time Sunday.