SALT LAKE CITY — The Bearkats chopped down another bean stalk Thursday, this time Utah came crashing down.
Sam Houston played lockdown defense and made the plays down the stretch to pick up its second upset of a Power 5 program with a 65-55 victory over the Utes (3-1) at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Bearkats improved to 4-0 on the season for the first time since 2013-14.
Qua Grant exploded for Sam Houston especially in the second half. He scored 20 of his game-high 22 points in the final 20 minutes, including a 3-pointer with 2:48 to go to put the Bearkats up 58-51 after Utah had cut the lead to one midway through the half.
The Utes had to start fouling down the stretch, and Sam Houston iced it at the free throw line. Grant made three from the line and
Jaden Ray, who scored seven off the bench, hit the final two to seal the victory.
The Bearkats' defense allowed them to jump out to a 13-point lead in the opening period. They held Utah to just eight points in the first 12 minutes to build a 21-8 advantage.
Sam Houston also held the Utes' leading scorer, Branden Carlson, to nine points, well below his season average of 19.7 through the first three games. Utah's only lead was in the 3-2 in the first one and a half minutes in the game.
Kaosi Ezeagu and
Donte Powers both scored six points for the Kats, while
Javion May pulled down nine boards as Sam Houston outrebounded the Utes 41-31.
The Bearkats hit the road to play in the Fort Myers Tip-off next week. They will face Northern Illinois on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and either Long Island or South Dakota on Wednesday.
