Clash at Bernard Johnson Coliseum: Sam Houston State Bearkats vs UTEP Miners

As the Sam Houston State Bearkats prepare to host the UTEP Miners at the Bernard Johnson Coliseum, fans can anticipate an intense matchup. The Bearkats have shown a mix of resilience and areas for improvement in their recent games, which will undoubtedly influence their approach to the upcoming contest.

In their last game against Grand Canyon Antelopes, despite a strong start with 29 points in the first half, they fell short with a final score of 64-76. Their shooting from beyond the arc was notably low at 18 percent, but they excelled at fast-break points with 18 and dominated inside with 38 points in the paint. However, turnovers were an issue as they matched their opponent's total of 16.

The previous home game saw a closer battle against Texas State Bobcats where they ended just shy of victory at 60-73. The Bearkats maintained an impressive free throw percentage of 80 but struggled from three-point range again with only a 21 percent success rate. They fought hard on rebounds and second-chance points but ultimately couldn't overcome turnovers and fouls that plagued them throughout.

Against Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks earlier in December, it was another tight finish for Sam Houston State as they edged out a win by one point (63-62). Their defense stepped up with seven steals and two blocks while maintaining control over turnovers better than previous games.

Looking ahead to facing UTEP Miners, it's clear that minimizing turnovers will be crucial for Sam Houston State. They'll need to capitalize on fast-break opportunities while improving three-point shooting accuracy if they want to secure another home win. With solid free throw shooting being one consistent strength this season, it could prove pivotal in close-game situations.

Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ when these two teams face off on January 27th at Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas starting from 22:30 UTC.