Kats to try for fifth in a row vs Demons
1/16/2018 4:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game 19
Wednesday, Jan. 17 • Huntsville, Texas • 6:30 p.m. CT • Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum (6,100)
Sam Houston State (10-8, 4-1 Southland) vs Northwestern State (3-13, 0-5 Southland)
|Live Stats • BSN • @BearkatsMBB on Twitter
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston State Bearkats enjoyed the month of January last year and this year has been just as kind. They will look to keep the good times going in the month on Wednesday when they go after their fifth straight win against Northwestern State at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
The game can be watched online at ESPN3 or on the WatchESPN app. Live stats are available at GoBearkats.com and fans can also get updates as they happen by following @BearkatsMBB on Twitter.
Sam Houston extended its winning streak to four in a row on Saturday with an 81-68 win over Houston Baptist and the Kats will go into Wednesday as one of five teams in the league with just one loss, just a half game back of both New Orleans and Nicholls who pace the league with a 5-1 record.
The Demons have struggled this season and are still looking for their first league win. They have dropped each of their last eight games overall since a win over Louisiana College on December 19. Under 19th-year head coach Mike McConathy the Demons have typically been known for their up-tempo style and high-scoring offense, but this year that has not been the case as they are averaging just 64.8 points per game and are shooting less than 40 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range.
They have not reached the 70-point mark in any of the last eight games and will have their struggles to get there against a Bearkat team that continues to lead the Southland Conference in scoring defense. But the Kats have found their offensive stride of late, averaging 80.4 points per game in conference play.
Marcus Harris dropped in 27 points in Saturday's win over HBU, the most by a Bearkat this year and the fourth straight game in which he has reached double figures. Chris Galbreath also turned in his seventh double-double of the year against the Huskies and ranks in the top 10 in both points and rebounds per game.
John Dewey III leads the league in free throw percentage and ranks second in assists per game, while the Kats have gotten great play from Josh Delaney and Jamal Williams in SLC games with both averaging double figures.
SERIES vs NORTHWESTERN STATE
Sam Houston holds a 32-30 edge in the all-time series, having taken hold of the series lead with its current 5-game win streak that began with two wins in 2013-14. Wednesday will be the Demons' first trip to Huntsville since 2015 and the Kats will be looking to keep Northwestern State from its first win in Huntsville since 2013.
