Jabari Peters scored 13 points and Kaheem Ransom added 10 to lead Sam Houston to a 63-52 Southland Conference men's basketball victory over Houston Baptist Saturday at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

The Bearkats up their record to 16-5 for the year and 8-1 in Southland action. HBU drops to 9-9 for the season and 4-4 in league play.

Richmonds Vilde led the Huskies with 12 points. Colter Lincoln added 10.

After HBU held a brief 3-2 lead in the third minute of the contest, Sam Houston went on a 16-7 run to go up 18-9 lead on four consecutive three point baskets by Ransom, Marquel McKinney, Aurimas Majauskas and Peters.

The Kats never trailed again, leading 32-22 at intermission and by 25 with 6:59 to play in the game.

Michael Holyfield came up big on the inside. The Bearkats 6-11 senior center finished the game with eight points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and a steal. The steal resulted in a break-away dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.

"Michael was credited with three blocks but I bet he changed 10 shots today," SHSU head coach Jason Hooten said.

Sam Houston hit 24-of-54 from the line (44 percent) including seven three-point baskets. Besides his 13 points, Peters produced six rebounds and three steals.

Ransom also added six assists. His 10 points marked his second double-figure performance in a row.

"That's what we expect of Kaheem," Hooten said. "He knows what he needs to do."

The SHSU men, who lead the Southland in total defense and field goal percentage defense, held HBU to 35 per cent shooting (21-of-60).

"We played with a lot of intensity early on," Hooten said. "We put a lot of pressure on them which was a big key to the game."

Sam Houston plays host to Lamar University Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Bearkats' next outing.