HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston used a monster performance from all-conference guard
Lamar Wilkerson to snap a three-game losing streak with an 81-74 victory over FIU on Saturday at Johnson Coliseum.
Wilkerson scored a new career-high 29 points to surpass the 1,000-point mark for his career as the defending champion Bearkats notched their first Conference USA win to improve to 8-9 overall and 1-3 in league action.
Marcus Boykin hit some clutch 3-pointers to chip in 17 points, and
Cameron Huefner added 16.
Sam Houston seemed to be in control early in the second half after the Panthers (7-10, 1-3) pulled within four points when Boykin drained a 3, and
Kalifa Sakho hit a pair of free throws for a 47-36 lead with just over 16 minutes left in the game. FIU responded with a 9-0 run to get to within two five minutes later.
The Kats got back-to-back baskets by freshman
Jaxson Ford and Wilkerson to push the lead back to six. Sam Houston kept the Panthers at bay, and Wilkerson delivered what would prove to be the dagger with a 3 at the 2:12 mark to make it 73-64.
Boykin and Huefner put the finishing touches on the victory by combining to go 4 for 4 at the free throw line down the stretch.
Wilkerson now has 1,002 career points which has him ranked 27
th on the Bearkats' all-time scoring list behind Bill Mehrens (1966-68) with 1,036. Al Adams (1952-56) is 25
th at 1,055 and three are tied at 22
nd with 1,104.
Sam Houston hits the road next to battle Kennesaw State on Thursday at 6 p.m.
