HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston used its depth and size to pull away for a 95-59 over LeTourneau in the season opener on Monday evening at Johnson Coliseum.
The Bearkats (1-0) turned a close contest into a runaway in the second half as the YellowJackets showed their usual fight when they visit Huntsville. LETU hit five shots from behind the arc which kept it in striking distance most of the first half.
Sam Houston was too strong inside, however. The Kats outscored the YellowJackets 24-10 in the paint in the first 20 minutes to take a 40-30 lead at the half.
Defense helped the Kats open it up to begin the second half. They held LETU scoreless for the first three minutes as Sam Houston went on a 8-0 run.
Transfer forward
Veljko Ilic got the run started with a layup and a free throw. Guard
Po'Boigh King followed with a 3 then two more free throws by
Damon Nicholas Jr., who made his return after missing last season with an injury.
Freshman
Jacobe Coleman scored a game-high 17 points, and fellow freshman
Jacob Walker added 13. Nicholas chipped in 12, King and
Isaiah Manning each finished with 11 and
Kashie Natt came close to a double-double with seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Bearkats return to action on Friday when they travel to Lubbock to face No. 10 Texas Tech at 7 p.m.
