Kats close out UTEP at the free throw line

Wednesday, February 4

Huntsville

6:30 PM

16-7,8-4CUSA

UTEP

8-15,4-8CUSA

UTEP

Sam Houston

Kats close out UTEP at the free throw line

2/4/2026 9:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE — When Sam Houston and UTEP meet on the court it always turns into a brawl to the bitter end. This time, the Bearkats came out on top.

Kashie Natt sank six straight free throws in the final seconds to guide Sam Houston to a 70-66 victory over the Miners at Johnson Coliseum on Wednesday night. The Bearkats extended their winning streak to seven to improve to 16-7 overall and 8-4 in Conference USA play.

Po'Boigh King was the Kats leading scorer with 17, while Damon Nicholas Jr. erupted for 14 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Justin Begg finished with nine points, and Veljko Ilic and Natt, who pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds, both scored eight.

Sam Houston appeared to be on the verge of opening a commanding lead in the second half only to see UTEP keep answering the bell.

King drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key to push the Kats' lead to 52-44. He was then fouled shooting another deep ball and sank all three shots to give Sam Houston its biggest lead of the game at 55-44 with just under 13 minutes to go.

UTEP (8-15, 4-8 CUSA) kept clawing back and cut the lead back down to two. The Bearkats found a way to keep the Miners at bay, going on a 7-0 run thanks to a three-point play by freshman Matt Dann, who had seven points and seven boards, to take a 63-54 lead with under six minutes left on the clock.

But that nine-point lead quickly evaporated when the Bearkats went on another scoring drought. The Miners were able to take their first lead since early in the first half at 64-63.

That's when Natt took over at the line to carry Sam Houston to victory lane as the team went the final six minutes without field goal.

The Bearkats must turn around and play Louisiana Tech for the second time in the past three games on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Ruston. Sam Houston topped the Bulldogs 83-67 on Jan. 31 at home.