WILMINGTON, N.C. — An unfortunate break proved costly as Sam Houston lost to Appalachian State 66-63 at the Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic at Trask Coliseum on Wednesday.
Trailing by one with 11 seconds to go in the game, senior point guard
Marcus Boykin drove to the basket with a chance to tie or put the Bearkats on top when he was fouled attempting a layup. He took a hard fall on his shoulder when his legs were cut out from under him, forcing him to leave the game.
As per NCAA rules, Appalachian State was able to pick the free throw shooter to take Boykin's place from those left on the court, and they selected forward
Kalifa Sakho who is a 54 percent shooter. He had both shots barely miss and a last-second shot failed after two free throws on the other end allowed the Mountaineers to steal the victory.
Lamar Wilkerson led all scorers with 22 points despite going just 1 for 8 from 3-point range. Boykin finished with 11 points, and Finister added 10 and seven rebounds.
Kian Scroggins also had a balanced game with eight points and six boards.
The Bearkats coughed up a three-point halftime lead following the break but kept fighting.
With just over seven minutes to go in the contest, Sakho tied it with an old fashion three-point play, and Finister got back in transition for a fastbreak layup and a 53-51 lead.
Appalachian State clawed back to take the lead at 62-60 in the final minutes when Boykin was fouled and sent to the line with a chance to tie it. He made one which gave the Bearkats the ability to take the lead back on a layup by Finister with 54 seconds left on the clock.
But a 4-0 run by Appalachian State to close the game proved to be the difference.
The first half was just as hotly contested. The Mountaineers grabbed the lead from the opening tip, but Sam Houston was able to battle back and eventually take the lead thanks to back-to-back jumpers by
Jaxson Ford and Scroggins to make it 27-26.
Finister drilled a 3 to give the Kats their biggest lead of the half, and
Brennen Burns made a layup after Appalachian State answered to send Sam Houston into the break up 33-30. The Bearkats were up 35-30, but a review of a goaltending call was reversed, taking a basket away from Sam Houston.
The Kats will take Thanksgiving off before returning to Trask Coliseum to face host UNCW on Friday at 3 p.m.
