Kats fight off Kennesaw State for key road win

Saturday, February 14

Kennesaw, Ga.

4:00 PM

17-8,9-5CUSA

Kennesaw State

14-11,6-8CUSA

Sam Houston

Kennesaw St.

Kats fight off Kennesaw State for key road win

2/14/2026 6:32:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KENNESAW, Ga. — It wasn't a defensive battle by any means, but Sam Houston was able to get some stops when it counted to earn an 83-79 victory over Kennesaw State at VyStar Arena on Saturday.

Damon Nicholas Jr. scored a career high 21 points and had several key plays down the stretch including two clutch free throws as the Bearkats (17-8, 9-5 CUSA) bounced back from a loss at Louisiana Tech last week to move into sole possession of second in Conference USA. Po'Boigh King added 20 points, Jacob Walker had 14, Velkjo Ilic added 12 and Kashie Natt posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.

The Bearkats opened the second half strong with a 7-3 run to build its lead to 52-45. Defensive lapses allowed the Owls to counter with a 17-7 run to take a 62-61 lead as Sam Houston allowed them to shoot almost 47 percent from the floor to begin the period.

The Kats found themselves trailing when Nicholas made a pair of free throws with just over three minutes left for a 75-74 lead. Walker then stole the ball and took it all the way for a three-point lead.

Natt's biggest rebound of the game was on the offensive end when he ran the ball down in the corner with 49 seconds to go to allow Sam Houston to run some more clock despite not scoring on the possession. Nicholas was fouled on the other end trying to get a defensive rebound and calmly sank the first free throw to make it a two-possession game as the Bearkats were able to close it out to escaped with the win.

The first half went about the same as the final 20 minutes.

Down 14-10, King made a 3 at the top of the key off a pass from an offensive board by CJ Beaumont. Beaumont then followed that with a 3 of his own to put Sam Houston on top by two.

Neither team could pull away but Nicholas drilled back-to-back 3s to give the Bearkats a pair of four-point leads, the second at 29-25 at the 8:28 mark. Nicholas was 4 for 4 from long range at that point and made a career high five from behind the arc in the contest.

Sam Houston led by seven multiple times with the first coming when Walker drilled a 3, and Illic made a baby hook in the lane for a 36-29 lead with 6:22 to go in the half. But as has been the case at times this season, the Kats disappeared offensively for a stretch of two minutes as Kennesaw State was able to cut the advantage to 45-42 at the break.

A four-game home stretch awaits Sam Houston next with Middle Tennessee coming to Huntsville for a matchup on Wednesday.