13-7,5-4CUSA
WKU
11-9,4-5CUSA
Kats dominate WKU for fourth straight win
1/24/2026 3:44:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HUNTSVILLE — Most teams would have panicked with an 0-3 start to league play, but for Sam Houston, it is now just a distant memory.
The Bearkats controlled the tempo from start to finish to avenge an early season loss to Western Kentucky with a 72-55 victory at Johnson Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. Po'Boigh King led three scorers in double figures with 27 points as Sam Houston has now won four Conference USA games in a row.
Veljko Ilic added 12 points and seven rebounds and Kashie Natt finished with 11 points and eight boards as the Kats (13-7, 5-4) dominated the paint, outscoring the Hilltoppers 40-20 under the basket. Sam Houston also shut down WKU's offense, holding the visitors from Bowling Green to just 37 percent shooting.
The Bearkats opened the second half with a 10-0 run to build off its largest halftime lead against a Division I opponent this season. Natt and King accounted for five points each as they both hit a 3-pointer and a layup to give Sam Houston a 48-21 advantage after leading by 17 at the break.
The league schedule began with three straight losses to NM State, Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Since then, the Kats have won five of their last six with wins coming at home against Delaware, Kennesaw State and WKU and two road wins at FIU and Jax State.
The game started slowly for both teams Saturday and was far from the 102-91 shootout the Hilltoppers won at home on Jan. 2.Â
The Bearkats began 0 for 7 from behind the arc until King finally got one to fall. He was left open in the right corner, and Jacob Walker found him to push the lead to 14-7 at the 9:31 mark.
Sam Houston continued to warm up from there. Damon Nicholas Jr. and Matt Dann contributed back-to-back buckets, and King chipped in two free throws to allow the Bearkats to open it up at 38-21 and never look back.
The Bearkats hit the road for a Wednesday matchup at Missouri State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
