Saturday, January 10
Huntsville
2:30 PM
9-7,1-4CUSA
74
vs
82
Liberty
13-3,5-0CUSA
1
2
F
Liberty
34
48
82
Sam Houston
33
41
74
Kats can’t contain Flames in loss
1/10/2026 4:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston had no answer defensively for Liberty in the second half to fall 82-74 in Conference USA action Saturday afternoon at Johnson Coliseum.
The Bearkats (9-7, 1-4) gave up 57 percent shooting from the floor and was outscored 42-30 in the paint to split a two-game homestand following a 72-60 win over Delaware on Thursday. Kashie Natt led Sam Houston 20 points and eight rebounds, and Po'Boigh King and Justin Begg added 14 points and 13, respectively.
It was one-point game at the half, but the Flames (13-3, 5-0) pushed the lead to eight to begin the final 20 minutes. Begg made a layup with just over 12 minutes to go to trim the lead to 50-47.
Liberty started scoring at will under the basket and pushed the advantage to 17 at the 3:53 mark. The Bearkats never got closer than eight the rest of the way as Natt ended the game with a steal and a layup.
Jacob Walker added nine points for Sam Houston, going 2 for 2 from 3-point range. Veljko Ilic just missed his fourth straight double-double, finishing with eight points and eight boards.
The Kats shot the ball well, hitting 44 percent from the floor and 38 percent from 3 (9 for 24). The defense just couldn't get a stop and the offensive missed some opportune shots in the second half.
Sam Houston hits the road to face Jax State on Wednesday and FIU in Miami on Jan. 17.
The Bearkats (9-7, 1-4) gave up 57 percent shooting from the floor and was outscored 42-30 in the paint to split a two-game homestand following a 72-60 win over Delaware on Thursday. Kashie Natt led Sam Houston 20 points and eight rebounds, and Po'Boigh King and Justin Begg added 14 points and 13, respectively.
It was one-point game at the half, but the Flames (13-3, 5-0) pushed the lead to eight to begin the final 20 minutes. Begg made a layup with just over 12 minutes to go to trim the lead to 50-47.
Liberty started scoring at will under the basket and pushed the advantage to 17 at the 3:53 mark. The Bearkats never got closer than eight the rest of the way as Natt ended the game with a steal and a layup.
Jacob Walker added nine points for Sam Houston, going 2 for 2 from 3-point range. Veljko Ilic just missed his fourth straight double-double, finishing with eight points and eight boards.
The Kats shot the ball well, hitting 44 percent from the floor and 38 percent from 3 (9 for 24). The defense just couldn't get a stop and the offensive missed some opportune shots in the second half.
Sam Houston hits the road to face Jax State on Wednesday and FIU in Miami on Jan. 17.
Team Stats
Lib
SHSU
FG%
.569
.435
3FG%
.333
.375
FT%
.783
.786
RB
23
37
TO
12
16
STL
8
8
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
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F
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