KATY, Texas – For two straight nights, the Sam Houston men's basketball team has experienced wild finishes and its share of Merrell Madness by way of last-second heroics.
With a third straight trip to the Southland Conference Tournament championship on the line, however, the Bearkats ended up on the wrong end, as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi hit a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining to down Sam Houston, 79-76, in semifinals play.
“You win one like that last night and you lose one like that tonight,” head coach Jason Hooten said. “All you can ask for is opportunity and we had our opportunities to win the game. We just didn't get it done. I've never been more proud of a team.”
With 29 seconds to play, Sam Houston's Jovante' Spivey pulled up and drained a jumper to give the Bearkats a 76-74 advantage. On the ensuing end, Torry Butler added a block and Spivey grabbed the ball, forcing an Islanders foul and two free throws.
The charity stripe did not do the Kats any favors and two key misses capped a 15-of-24 night at the line. Over the final 3 ½ minutes, Sam Houston went 3-of-10 at the line after shooting 71.7 percent against league foes during the season.
“Obviously, it's frustrating,” Hooten said. “Those guys aren't trying to miss them. We shot 71 percent from the free throw line in conference and we usually make them, we just didn't tonight. Those guys gave it all they had. Their intention was to make them and they just didn't go in.”
Freshman Albert Almanza posted a career-high 17 points and hit four three-pointers including a shot with 16:17 remaining to boost the Bearkats lead to 13, tying their biggest of the game. However, the Islanders went on a 12-0 run during the next five minutes to cut the deficit to 53-52.
“They have six or seven seniors over there,” Hooten said of the Islanders' tenacity. “If you remember our team last year, we did that a lot to people. It's being experience in certain situations throughout the game. I am sure their team didn't panic when they were down 14. We expected them to make a run and we talked about poise and withstanding their runs and making one of our own.”
Sam Houston's Dakarai Henderson finished with 15 points was an impressive 5 for 8 behind the line. Despite being hobbled by a leg injury, the double-digit game was his 25th of a season in which the second-team All-Southland honoree took on a new leadership role.
“I knew I had to step up a lot,” Henderson said. “I see how much the guys look up to me. I have had my ups and downs individually. The thing about these guys is that we're all a family. I get on them sometimes and they listen. I know that we're going to pull together and let this be a little motivator for next year.”
Meanwhile, fellow second-team member Aurimas Majauskas added 11 points, despite being saddled with foul trouble late. The junior is one of several key pieces returning next season with senior guard Mitch McCormick being the only outgoing player.
“I think in life, sometimes it's easy to make excuses, especially when things happen like they did before the season started,” Hooten said of injuries. “Credit goes to these guys because they figured out a way to come together. We have guys playing positions this year that have never played that position before. We continued to overcome, even tonight. I am extremely proud of our team and our program.”
Sam Houston shot 45.5 percent from the field, bested slightly by the Islanders 47.3 percent. Despite a heartbreaking loss, that included nine lead changes and six ties, the semifinals appearance in itself adds to the Bearkats long-stretching success at the event.
“We've been here 14 straight years, more than any team in this tournament and we've finished in the top three 10 of the last 12 years,” Hooten said. “I know there are teams that have done great but no one can say that. I'm extremely proud of that.”
The Bearkats, who entered as the three seed and exit the same way, await any chance of postseason invitation and further play. Sam Houston won seven of its final 11 games with the only losses coming to Stephen F. Austin and A&M-Corpus Christi, who meet Saturday for the league tournament title.
