HUNTSVILLE — Dallas didn't score a field goal for the first five minutes of the game as Sam Houston rolled to a 93-53 victory at Johnson Coliseum on Tuesday to kick off 2024.
The Bearkats (7-8) hit four 3-pointers, two each by
Davon Barnes and
Damon Nicholas Jr., to grab a quick 21-8 lead in the final tune up before Conference USA play begins this weekend. Sam Houston will host Louisiana Tech at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The Crusaders' first six points came at the free throw line as the Kats seized control of the game from the opening tip. By the time Dallas scored its first field goal with just over 15 and a half minutes to go in the opening half, Sam Houston led 15-6 with baskets by
Souleymayne Doumbia, Nicholas, Barnes and
Anthony Wrzeszcz.
The biggest lead of the first half for the Bearkats came at 50-18 at the 4:32 mark when
Jaden Ray and Wrzeszcz made back-to-back 3 and
Lewis Rowe and Barnes knocked down a pair of jumpers.
Sam Houston kept cruising on offense in the second half. A dunk by Nicholas and a 3 by
Owen McGlashan pushed the advantage to 39 at 77-38 midway through the period as the Kats never allowed the Crusaders to threaten.
Nicholas finished with a career-high 20 points for Sam Houston which shot 51 percent from the floor while holding Dallas to just 25 percent. Barnes added 14 points, and Wrzeszcz chipped in 11.
