CORPUS CHRISTI — Sam Houston State couldn't get over the hump after falling behind by double digits in a 74-60 loss to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at the American Bank Center Wednesday evening.
 
The Bearkats (18-12 overall, 11-9 in SLC) have now lost three of their last four contests, heading into Saturday's regular-season finale on the road at Stephen F. Austin.
 
Sophomore Zach Nutall led SHSU with 18 points, and junior RJ Smith scored 10. Senior Chad Bowie chipped in nine points, while seniors Dainan Swoope and Kai Mitchell each had eight.
 
The Bearkats once again struggled offensively and defensively. Sam Houston State shot less than 40 percent from the floor for most of the game and hit only 6 of 20 (30 percent) 3-point attempts.
 
The Islanders, who shot 44 percent from the field and hit 10 3s, led by 14 twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
 
Sam Houston State went on an 11-2 run to pull within 44-39 on a jumper by Nutall with 15:30 to go in the game. The Islanders (13-17, 10-10) responded with a 9-0 run to go back up 53-39 to put the game away and led by as many as 17 in the final three minutes.