HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston overcame an early double-digit deficit to open WAC play with a 92-72 victory over Seattle at Johnson Coliseum on Thursday.
Kaylee Jefferson led the Bearkats (4-6, 1-0 WAC) with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Raanee Smith and
Madelyn Batista also posted double doubles as Smith scored 15 points and had 11 rebounds and Batista added 10 points and 12 boards.
Chyna Allen and
Sydnee Kemp each chipped in 15 points, and
Alexus Seaton added 11 points to give Sam Houston six players with double figures in scoring.
The Bearkats fell behind the Redhawks (0-11, 0-1) by as many as 11 at 14-3 five minutes into the first quarter. Sam Houston then started to chip away at the lead.
The Kats used a 12-4 run in the second period to take the lead for the first time at 34-31 on a 3-pointer by Kemp after Jefferson had tied it with a jumper midway through the quarter. It was all Sam Houston from there.
Jefferson was fouled on a 3-pointer and made all three shots at the line. She added two more free throws a few seconds later and just like that the Kats were up 39-31.
Kemp hit another shot from behind the arc, Smith scored on a layup before Kemp connected on a jumper to push the lead to double digits. The Bearkats closed the half on a 25-6 run to go into the break on top 49-33.
Sam Houston's biggest lead was 92-68 with a minute left in the game.
The Bearkats return to action on Jan. 5 when they head to Abilene Christian for a 6 p.m. tip.
