LAS VEGAS — Sam Houston came out clicking on all cylinders to blow past California Baptist 65-35 in the first round of the WAC Tournament at the Orleans Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Bearkats (19-13) advanced to the second round on Thursday where they will play Grand Canyon for the third time this season at 8 p.m. CST. Sam Houston topped the Antelopes 58-56 in Huntsville on Jan. 22, but GCU won 67-41 in Phoenix, Arizona on Feb. 26.
Savion Flagg led the way with 15 points and 13 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Freshman
Javon Grant tied his career high with 12 points, and
Jarren Cook added nine on three 3-pointers as the team went 11 for 26 from long range.
The Lancers (18-15) shot just 12 percent shooting from behind the arc. Sam Houston held CBU to a season low in total points.
The Bearkats came out on fire as
Demarkus Lampley and Flagg hit back-to-back 3s to begin the game. Flagg then hit two from long range, Grant made a free throw and
Donte Powers drilled a jumper to put Sam Houston on top 15-3 seven minutes into the half.
Grant scored four straight points to begin a 6-2 run as the Kats went up 15. Their biggest lead came when
Jarren Cook hit his second 3 of the opening period to make it 27-11.
Sam Houston hit a rough stretch offensively after that. The Bearkats went almost four minutes without a basket but good defense and a layup by Grant to close the period sent them into the break with a 30-17 lead.
It was all Sam Houston in the second half.
Tristan Ikpe started the half with a dunk and Lampley knocked down another 3 to push the lead to 35-17.
The game began to get out of hand when
Kuba Karwowski sparked a 16-5 run with a dunk midway through the period.
Kevin Martina got in on the action with a 3 and
Kian Scroggins laid one off the glass to give the Kats' their biggest lead of the game at 30 points with 30 seconds to go in the contest.
