RENO, Nevada — Sam Houston spent most of the night playing catch-up and ran out of gas in a 91-75 loss to Nevada at the Lawlor Events Center in the season opener on Monday.
The Bearkats got off to a rocky start, allowing a 15-0 run after senior
Lamar Wilkerson made the first basket of the season. Some key shots by some new and familiar faces allowed Sam Houston to get back in it and push the Wolfpack to their max.
Nevada saw its large lead disappear at the half but pushed the lead back to eight to start the second period. Junior transfer
Dorian Finister cut the lead to 58-56 with a three-point play to keep it close.
The teams traded baskets until the Wolfpack were able to pull away late as a sluggish Sam Houston team fought to the end despite a two-hour time difference on the West Coast coupled with Daylight Savings Time.
The game started just like the Bearkats drew it up. After Wilkerson's opening bucket, things got frigid for Sam Houston quickly in Lawlor Events Center.
The Wolfpack started dropping shots, jumping out to a 15-2 lead. Sam Houston went 0 for 7 from the field during that stretch, but a senior was waiting to get Kats back on track.
Marcus Boykin took a hard foul in the lane and managed to get a layup to fall for an and one opportunity. He made the free throw, and it was game on from there.
Sam Houston flipped the switch and began making shots as
Josiah Hammons knocked down a pair of 3s, the latter making it 21-18 with just over seven minutes to play in the first half.
Kian Scroggins also got in on the action with a 3.
Senior transfer
Brennen Burns was next to step up. He also drilled a clutch 3 which tied the game at 26 two minutes later.
Nevada pushed the lead to six before the half, but Boykin drove the lane again and picked up the foul. His three-point play cut the lead to 37-34 at the break.
Boykin led the Bearkats with 17 points, and Hammons finished with 14. Wilkerson and Finister each scored 11.
Sam Houston stays on the road for a matchup with Tarleton on Saturday at 7 p.m.
