HUNTSVILLE - The Sam Houston State men's basketball team opens Southland Conference action today when Northwestern State comes to Johnson Coliseum.

The Bearkats (6-4) are 5-0 at home this season following a 91-58 victory over Wiley College Sunday, which also marked the program's 500^th win at the Division I level. SHSU currently has a seven-game winning streak against the Demons (2-6) and is 34-30 against Northwestern State all-time dating back to the 1951-52 season.

The Bearkats are the reigning SLC regular-season champions after going 16-2, including a 12-game win streak to open league play, a year ago. It was also the program's best record since joining the conference in 1987-88 and the second most league wins in school history behind 17 posted by the 2002-03 SLC championship team.

SHSU has three players averaging in double digits in scoring including Kai Mitchell (14.3), Zach Nutall (13.3) and Chad Bowie (10.1). Demarkus Lampley is right behind them at 9.4 points per game.

Today's game will be streamed online on the Bearkat Sports Network's YouTube Channel and broadcast by KSAM 101.7 FM.
 
Game Notes
• The Bearkats went 12-2 at Johnson Coliseum a year ago. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, the Kats are 44-6 (.880) at Johnson Coliseum. SHSU is 5-0 at home this season.

• Out of 350 Division I teams, Sam Houston State ranks in the top 30 in several statistical categories this season. The Bearkats are eighth in turnovers forced at 19.8 per game, 13th in steals at 9.9, 19th in turnover margin at 5.1, 22nd in assists at 16.6, 26th in total steals at 99, and 28th in scoring offense at 80.7.

• Prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, the Sam Houston State men's basketball team was picked to finish second overall in the Southland Conference. The Bearkats were picked sixth a year ago and proved the voters wrong by going 16-2 in league action to win the program's fourth regular-season championship.

• The Bearkats have qualified for SLC Tournament in each season under head coach Jason Hooten and currently own the longest such streak in the league, having taken part in the last 17 SLC Tournaments.

• Head coach Jason Hooten is closing in on 200 career wins at Sam Houston State. Entering his 10th season at the helm, Hooten has guided the Bearkats to 185 wins