Sam Houston State Bearkats Overcome Lancers at Bernard Johnson Coliseum
In a conference game that saw the Sam Houston State Bearkats face off against the California Baptist Lancers, the home team emerged victorious with a final score of 56-45. The Bearkats now hold an impressive record, while the Lancers' efforts were not enough to secure a win.
The Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville was filled with an energetic crowd of 1,613 spectators who witnessed the Sam Houston State Bearkats take on their opponents in what turned out to be a defensively charged game. The first half ended with the Bearkats leading by seven points, setting up a tense second half where both teams fought hard to establish dominance.
The Sam Houston State team showcased their defensive skills by accumulating 11 steals and blocking one shot throughout the game. Their efforts on defense translated into offensive opportunities as they scored 15 points off turnovers compared to the Lancers' 11. Additionally, fast break situations were capitalized upon by both teams, but it was the Bearkats who outscored their opponents with 11 fast break points.
On offense, free throws proved crucial for Sam Houston State as they made an impressive 19 out of 23 attempts from the line, translating to an outstanding free throw percentage of approximately 83 percent. This sharpshooting from charity stripe contrasted starkly with California Baptist's more modest performance of making five out of eight free throw attempts.
Rebounding was another area where Sam Houston State excelled; they pulled down a total of 40 rebounds—23 defensive and 17 offensive—giving them numerous second-chance opportunities which resulted in six additional points. In comparison, California Baptist managed only eight offensive rebounds and secured nine second-chance points.
While three-point shots were not falling consistently for either team—with Sam Houston making just three out of fourteen attempts—their two-point field goal percentage stood at around forty percent due to converting fourteen shots within close range. The Lancers struggled more significantly from inside the arc as well as beyond it; they made only five two-pointers all night at approximately twenty-eight percent shooting accuracy.
As fans look forward to future games, attention turns toward another home fixture for Sam Houston State Bearkats against Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Bernard Johnson Coliseum on February 25th at approximately 4:30 PM Central Time. Fans unable to attend can catch all action live via ESPN+ internet broadcast network ensuring no moment is missed from what promises to be another exciting matchup for basketball enthusiasts.