Game 20 • vs NM State, 8 p.m. • Johnson Coliseum • CBS Sports Network • Listen Live • Live Stats • Tickets
HUNTSVILLE — For the first time this season, Sam Houston will have to rebound following its first Conference USA loss when former WAC foe New Mexico State comes to Johnson Coliseum on Thursday.
The Bearkats (10-9) got off to a 3-0 start to league play before falling on the road at Liberty this past weekend. Sam Houston will try to begin a new winning streak against the Aggies (9-10, 3-1) who have rebounded after a slow start to the season.
Last time out, the Bearkats could not keep up with the offensive attack of the Flames on Jan. 20, allowing them to shoot over 60 percent from the field and over 50 percent from beyond the arc en route to an 82-66 loss. From tip-off, Liberty was hot from beyond the arc, making their first three 3-pointers and putting the Bearkats behind 10 early in the game.
The Kats were able to rally thanks to
Davon Barnes being incandescent in the latter portions of the half, scoring eight straight points and keeping Sam Houston in the game heading into the break.
Liberty would come out of the half swinging, outscoring the Bearkats 11-6 in the first five minutes. Sam Houston could not rally like it did in the first half however and would fall behind for good.
Lamar Wilkerson led the way for Sam Houston with 23 points, Barnes added 19 and
Cameron Huefner had nine.
Kian Scroggins led the Kats in rebounding with seven.
Thursday's tip-off against New Mexico State is scheduled for 8 p.m.
NOTES
• Thursday's game will be a White Out. The first 250 students to arrive at Johnson Coliseum will be given a free T-shirt.
• Students and fans are invited to tailgate, weather permitting, in the plaza area outside of Johnson Coliseum from 5:30 to 7:30/8 p.m. on Thursday. There will be booths featuring vendors and campus organizations and departments with giveaways.
• Thursday's game marks the return of former head coach Jason Hooten to Johnson Coliseum since he left Sam Houston to become the head coach at NM State last year. As a member of the staff from July 2004 to April 2024, the Bearkats compiled a record of 383 wins and 225 losses. The Sam Houston men earned Southland and WAC tournament berths each of his 19 years in Huntsville (winning the event in 2010, also reaching the finals in 2006, 2014 and 2015 and the semifinals nine times). The Bearkats were 261-161 in his 13 seasons as head coach, making the NIT twice including a 58-56 win in the first round against Santa Clara last season.
