Sam Houston State trailed for the majority of the game before some clutch shooting late in the game helped the Bearkats to a 57-53 win over Northwestern State Thursday at Johnson Coliseum.

“Our defense did a very good job tonight. In the first half we didn't really stick to the gameplan,” Bearkat head coach Brenda Welch-Nichols said. “Second half we shot 46% and that's the best we've shot in probably three or four games.”

Angela Beadle and Jazmin Wiley carried the Bearkats (11-12, 6-6 SLC) for the majority of the game. Beadle scored 19 points and pulled down 11 boards. Wiley scored a season-high 17 points.

But it was a pair of guards, Amanda Barnes and Jasmine Johnson that made the big shots down the stretch to lead SHSU to victory.

After trailing for most of the second half, Johnson made just her second basket of the game with eight minutes left to give the Kats a 41-40 lead.

The Kats missed their first 12 three-point baskets but the only two, made back-to-back by Amanda Barnes, gave SHSU a 49-42 lead with under seven minutes left in the game.

Barnes finished with six points and Johnson had nine points, six of which were scored in the final eight minutes of the game.

The Bearkats trailed 26-22 at halftime but it realistically could have been worse. SHSU shot just 28% in the first half but went 8-of-11 from the free-throw line to keep the game close.

Beadle led all scorers with 11 points and eight rebounds in the first period. Jazmin Wiley made up most of the remainder of the scoring with six first-half points.

The Demons were led by Trudy Armstead and Kourtney Pennywell who each scored 13 points while Janelle Perez added 11 points.

Sam Houston will host Stephen F. Austin Saturday in another big game for the Bearkats. The Ladyjacks are third in the Southland standings.