LYNCHBURG, Va. — Sam Houston dropped another close Conference USA game on the road, fighting tooth and nail until the end in a 64-61 loss to Liberty on Saturday at the Convocation Center.
It was the 10
th league loss by less than double digits for the Bearkats, who fell to 8-16 overall and 1-10 in CUSA action.
Marcus Boykin led Sam Houston with 22 points, and
Cameron Huefner had 15.
The Kats trailed at the half, but Huefner drilled a 3 from the left corner to trim the deficit to 33-32. Sam Houston found itself down 44-40 after a four-point play, but a pair of free throws by
Lamar Wilkerson, who finished with 11 points, and a fastbreak layup by
Jaxson Ford tied it.
Boykin drained a 3 from the top of the key to give the Kats their first lead at 47-46 right before he hit a pair of free throws to make it a three-point game.
It was on from there, but Liberty (19-5, 7-4) was able to get some calls and shots to fall down the stretch to squeak out the win.
Sam Houston shot 40 percent from the field, but the Flames were able to make 44 percent of its attempts as well as make nine 3-point baskets. The Kats were just 5 for 19 from long range, which is 26 percent, well below their league-leading average of almost 39 percent.
A trip back to Johnson Coliseum is up next for Sam Houston as the Bearkats host Jax State Thursday and Kennesaw State on Feb. 15 in Huntsville.
