LUBBOCK — Sam Houston will face one of the toughest tests of the season when the team hits the road for the first time this season to take on No. 10 Texas Tech at United Supermarkets Arena on Friday.
 
The Bearkats (1-0) used their depth and size to pull away for a 95-59 over LeTourneau in the season opener on Monday evening at Johnson Coliseum. Freshman Jacobe Coleman scored a game-high 17 points, and fellow freshman Jacob Walker added 13.
 
Senior Damon Nicholas Jr., making his highly anticipated return after missing last season with an injury, chipped in 12 while transfers Po'Boigh King and Isaiah Manning each finished with 11. Former NAIA All-American Kashie Natt came close to a double-double with seven points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
Sam Houston is 2-8 in its last 10 road openers dating back to the 2015-16 season. The two wins came at Oklahoma (52-51) on a buzzer beater by former All-CUSA guard Lamar Wilkerson in Norman on Nov. 7, 2022, and the other was a 64-57 victory at Pacific on Nov. 6, 2023.
 
The Kats are 2-5 against Power 4 schools the past three seasons following loses to Indiana and No. 12 Baylor last year. After upsetting Oklahoma, Sam Houston also stopped Utah 65-55 on Nov. 15, 2022, in Salt Lake City before losing 65-51 at Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Dec. 6, 2022. Two seasons ago, Sam Houston lost at Arizona State 78-61 and at Texas Tech 96-60. The Kats have also never defeated a team ranked in the top 25 of the polls.
 
Friday's tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.