BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Sam Houston used three home runs to keep its season alive with a 5-3 win over New Mexico State on day one of the Conference USA Tournament at WKU Softball Field on Wednesday. 

The Bearkats (28-28) secured their first CUSA tournament victory since joining the league in 2024. Sam Houston recorded nine hits, led by Jenny Robison's 3-for-3 performance. 

Robison opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the third inning to score Elia Hebel, who reached on a stand-up triple.

Bella Perez smashed her 13th home run of the season, tying the program's single-season home run record. After Perez's blast, Brodie Quinlan followed with a double, the 39th of her career, to tie the program's all-time record. 

Robison later hit a two-run home run, her third RBI of the day, once again driving in Hebel. Quinlan capped the scoring with the team's third homer to make it 5-0. 

Kendall Daniel tossed six scoreless innings before allowing three runs in the seventh. She gave up nine hits and struck out five. 

Sam Houston will face the loser of No. 2 Western Kentucky and No. 3 Jacksonville State on Thursday at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.