SHSU hosts UTPA Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
12/5/2014 1:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Sam Houston men's basketball team plays host to UT-Pan American Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the first of four December home games at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
The Bearkats (4-3) are coming off an impressive performance at Texas A&M where they bounced back from an 11-0 deficit to battle the Aggies in a 66-63 loss in College Station.
“We've played two tradition powerhouse programs down to the wire and had a chance to win at the end but didn't,” SHSU head coach Jason Hooten said. “It was disappointing to lose both games, but I'm really proud of the way our kids battled. A&M has a team that's going to do well in the SEC this season and could be an NCAA tournament them this year. It was a great opportunity for us to see where we are.”
With four seniors and two juniors among the top nine players on the squad, Sam Houston fields an experienced squad that rolled up 24 victories last year, the second highest single season win total for the Kats as an NCAA Division I program.
The squad is one of the deepest teams in several seasons. The Bearkats currently are averaging 41.6 bench points per contest. Eight players are averaging more than 6.0 points and 15 minutes of playing time per game.
Guards Kaheem Ransom and DeMarcus Gatlin both own double figure scoring mens with marks of 11.0 and 10.4, respectively.
The Kats' 6-11 senior center Michael Holyfield leads the team under the boards with 7.4 rebounds per game. His backup, sophomore Aurimas Majauskas gives Sam Houston inside offensive punch with 8.9 points per contest.
Dakarai Henderson (8.4 points), Jabari Peters (7.3) and Paul Baxter (7.3) add to the squad's ability to score from the perimeter.
UTPA brings a 4-3 record into Saturday's action. The Broncs own victories over Wayland Baptist, Texas-San Antonio, A&M-Kingsville and North Dakota. Their losses all have come on the road to Utah, Alabama State and Houston.
Forward Janari Joesaar leads UTPA with 18.9 points and 9.3 rebounds. Shaquqille Hines added 16.6 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Broncs.
Following Saturday's game, Sam Houston will break for final exams, then head to Baton Rouge, La., to take on LSU Saturday, December 13. Upcoming home games at Johnson Coliseum this month include tilts with Eastern Washington Tuesday, Dec. 16; Prairie View A&M Saturday, Dec. 20 and Howard Payne Monday, Dec. 29.
Tickets to all home Sam Houston men's basketball games at Johnson Coliseum are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com.
