LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bearkats waved goodbye to 2022 with an impressive 75-62 road win at New Mexico State on Saturday at the Pan American Arena.
Sam Houston shot the lights out of the gym to improve to 1-1 in WAC play and 11-3 overall this season. The Aggies (7-7) fell to 0-2 in WAC action for the first time in more than 10 years.
Qua Grant led the Kats with 17 points and five rebounds, while
Donte Powers had the hot hand in the first half, scoring 11 of his 14 points before the break.
Tristan Ikpe scored 11 points,
Javion May added eight and
Jaden Ray finished with seven.
Sam Houston set off plenty of fireworks to welcome in the new year. The Kats led from the opening tip and shot 52 percent including a 13 for 27 performance from 3-point range.
The Bearkats looked as good as they have all season in the first half. Shots were falling and Sam Houston's lock-down defense was on full display.
The team hit 7 3-point shots in the first 20 minutes to grab a 38-25 lead at the break. Powers, Grant,
Lamar Wilkerson, Ikpe and May all connected from behind the arc as the Kats shot 47 percent from long range and 48 percent from the floor.
Sam Houston held the Aggies to just 39 percent shooting and led by as many as 18 points at 33-15 with five minutes to go in the half when May hit a 3 and
Cameron Huefner knocked down a jumper.
The Bearkats picked up where they left off to begin the second period. Grant hit back-to-back 3s to give SHSU a 17-point lead at 46-29 at the 16:29 mark and never led by less than 10 the rest of the way.
The Kats return home Jan. 5 to host Grand Canyon at 6:30 p.m.
