MIAMI — Saturday was a tale of two halves. Unfortunately for Sam Houston, it was the final 20 minutes that did not go its way.
FIU rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to knock out the first-place Bearkats 68-61 at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. Sam Houston fell to 13-10 overall and 6-2 in Conference USA play as the Golden Panthers improved to 8-15 on the season and 3-5 in league action.
Cameron Huefner drilled a 3-pointer to give Sam Houston a 46-35 lead four minutes into the second half as it looked like the Kats were going to roll like they did in the opening period which saw them take a 10-point lead into the break.
Things didn't go as planned as Sam Houston began to struggle against the Golden Panthers' defense. FIU went on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes while the Bearkats went five minutes without scoring until
Damon Nicholas Jr. finally connected from 3 to make it 49-44.
The cracks were starting to show however, as Sam Houston went 0 for 12 from the floor before that basket. FIU started draining 3s and came back to take the lead 54-51 and never relinquished it.
Sam Houston shot a measly 21 percent from the field in the second half compared to 48 percent for the Golden Panthers. FIU also went 7 for 13 from long range.
The first and second halves could not have gone any more differently for the two teams.
After falling in a 0-5 hole to start the game, the Kats couldn't miss.
Huefner got Sam Houston on the board first then
Davon Barnes drilled a 3-pointer to tie it at 5. The Golden Panthers briefly retook the lead with 13 minutes to go but it was the Kats in charge the rest of the half.
A pair of free throws by Nicholas put Sam Houston up 21-14. FIU answered with a 3 only to see the Kats respond with a 7-0 run which featured a basket by
Owen McGlashan, a 3-pointer by
Anthony Wrzeszcz and a monster dunk on a fastbreak by
Souleymane Doumbia to make it 28-17 with just over four minutes left in the opening period.
The Golden Panthers were able to pull within seven again, but Nicholas drilled a 3 to send Sam Houston into halftime with a 36-26 lead thanks to 50 percent shooting from the floor and 57 percent, 4 for 7, from behind the arc.
