LAS VEGAS — Sam Houston fought to the final buzzer but its journey in the WAC Tournament came to an end with an 85-78 loss to California Baptist at Orleans Arena on Thursday.
The sixth-seeded Bearkats (15-16) dominated the offensive glass. They outrebounded the third-seeded Lancers 27-6 and turned that into 23 second-chance points.
CBU shot lights out from the field, however. The Lancers made 58 percent of their field goal attempts and were able to pull away with a 10-5 run in the final minutes to come away with the victory.
Faith Cook led Sam Houston with 20 points.
Kaylee Jefferson had a double-double with 19 points, including a career-high three 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds while
Courtney Cleveland chipped in 15 points and
Damaya Telemaque added 14.
The game was tied at 62 a minute and a half into the fourth quarter, but CBU went on an 8-0 run from there to take the lead for good.
Neither team could create separation in the first half.
Sam Houston led by two three times in the opening quarter, the last coming on a pair of free throws by Cleveland with just under a minute to play. CBU was able to answer a few seconds later to end the quarter with the game tied at 18.
The Lancers led by as many as five in the second period but Cook and Jefferson hit back-to-back 3s to put the Kats up 31-30. Jefferson hit another shot from behind the arc to send Sam Houston into the half with a 34-32 advantage.
It was a remarkable run for the Bearkats to make it to the quarterfinals. Sam Houston began conference play 0-6 then won seven straight and nine of its last 12 games to earn a berth in the league tournament.
