HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston Bearkats could not get the win at home in 66-58 loss against UTRGV on Saturday at Johnson Coliseum.  

Despite the loss, Raanee Smith gained her fifth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. She started hot in the first half, putting up 12 points and seven rebounds.  

The Bearkats (5-7) led the first half until they entered a three-minute scoring drought that came to an end with a Shanti Henry layup to give SHSU a 26-25 advantage. The Vaqueros (1-10) took the lead with a minute to go in the half, but Sydnee Kemp put up a jumper to make the score 28-27 going into the locker room.  

The Vaqueros lead by as many as 10 in the fourth quarter thanks in part to their seven made 3 pointers in the game. Sam Houston struggled to get anything going offensively to get back into the game in the closing minutes.  

Smith led the team with 13 points. Kemp, Kaylee Jefferson and Diana Rosenthal added 10 points each.  

The Bearkats will open conference play on the road in Ruston against Louisiana Tech on Jan. 6. The game is set to be live streamed on ESPN+.