Kats can’t contain Flames in loss

Saturday, January 10

Huntsville

2:30 PM

9-7,1-4CUSA

Liberty

13-3,5-0CUSA

Liberty

Sam Houston

Kats can’t contain Flames in loss

1/10/2026 4:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

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.