HUNTSVILLE — The Bearkats flipped the script on UT Arlington on Wednesday.
Sam Houston made the plays down the stretch to pull away for a 66-56 victory over the Mavericks at Johnson Coliseum to improve to 19-6 overall and 9-4 in Western Athletic Conference action.
Cameron Huefner led Sam Houston with 15 points, and
Tristan Ikpe finished with 13 on 3 for 3 shooting from 3-point range.
Donte Powers scored 12 points, and
Qua Grant chipped in 10 points.
When the two teams played on Feb. 4 in Arlington, the Kats overcame an 18-point deficit in the second half to get within a couple of possessions. The Mavericks were able to keep it from getting closer and ended up winning 70-58.
Wednesday was just as close late in the second half.
Sam Houston trailed 46-42 with under nine minutes to play, but Ikpe and Ron Mitchell Jr. hit back-to-back 3s to retake the lead at 48-46. Powers hit a pair of free throws to make it 56-49 four minutes later.
UTA used an old-fashioned three-point play to cut the lead to four, but a 3 by Huefner made it 59-52 with 2:35 left in the game. SHSU sealed it by going 5 for 6 at the line.
Just like the first meeting between these two schools, the Bearkats got off to a hot start. Powers drilled a pair of 3s, and Grant scored on a layup to put Sam Houston up 15-5.
Once again, just like the first game, the Mavericks got hot from long range and came back to tie it and eventually take the lead at 25-24.
The teams traded baskets, but the Bearkats went on a 9-4 run to close the half. Grant scored on another layup and Huefner turned a turnover into another basket to send Sam Houston into the break on top 34-29.
The Bearkats hit the road to face Tarleton on Saturday at 7 p.m.
