Bearkats stumble in CUSA opener

Sunday, December 21

Las Cruces, N.M.

3:00 PM

7-4,0-1CUSA

NM State

7-3,1-0CUSA

Sam Houston

New Mexico St.

Justin Begg drives to the basket against LeTourneau

Photo by: Tyler Brown

Bearkats stumble in CUSA opener

12/21/2025 5:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Sam Houston made the first shot, but things went downhill from there in an 87-78 loss at New Mexico State on Sunday at the Pan American Center.

The Bearkats (7-4, 0-1) shot just 36 percent from the floor while allowing 53 percent from the Aggies, who came into the game on a three-game losing streak.

Sam Houston looked like it was going to have a solid shooting night when Kashie Natt, who scored 14 points, hit 3-pointer from right corner to open the game, but that was all that went right.

The Kats looked sluggish and could not get on track as NM State (7-5, 1-0) used a 10-0 run to take the lead and kept pouring it on, going up 17-5 five minutes into the game. Sam Houston, one of the league's top 3-point defenses, allowed the Aggies to make seven from long range in the first half.

Damon Nicholas Jr. and Isaiah Manning made consecutive baskets as the Bearkats appeared to get something building, but NM State hit another 3 to go up 22-9. Jacob Walker, Veljko Ilic, Nicholas and Po'Boigh King managed to get some points on the board only to see the Aggies coast into the half with a commanding 48-28 lead.

That was just too much to overcome despite a stronger second period, which saw Sam Houston get within 10 several times.

King knocked down a turnaround jumper for two of his 15 points to start a 6-0 run to open the second half. Nicholas and Justin Begg also scored as the Bearkats pulled within 52-38 after a pair of free throws by Natt.

Begg, who scored a new career-high 20 points, was feeling it as hit knocked in a 3, and King drove the lane for a layup to make it a 10-point game. NM State was able to put together an 8-0 run to push the lead back to 62-44 as time began to runout on the Bearkats.

Sam Houston will take a break from CUSA play to host the College of Biblical Studies on Dec. 28 at Johnson Coliseum.