Can the Bearkats Claw Their Way to Victory Against the Panthers at Bernard Johnson Coliseum?

As the Sam Houston State Bearkats prepare to host the Florida International Panthers, fans are eager to see if their team can turn around a recent slump. The upcoming clash, set for Bernard Johnson Coliseum, promises an intense battle as both teams vie for dominance on the court.

The Bearkats have shown a mix of promise and areas needing improvement in their last few outings. In their most recent game against Grand Canyon Antelopes, they put up 64 points but allowed 76 in return. Despite shooting a solid 53 percent from two-point range and an impressive 79 percent from the free-throw line, they struggled beyond the arc with only an 18 percent success rate from three-point land. Additionally, turnovers were a concern as they matched their opponent's total of 16.

In contrast, during their home game against Texas State Bobcats, while still facing turnover issues with another count of 16, they managed to keep it closer with a final score of 60-73. Their two-point attempts were less effective at a rate of 46 percent but showed slight improvement in three-point shots at 21 percent.

The matchup before that saw them edge out Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks by one point in another home game where turnovers were reduced significantly to nine for the night. They shot better overall from field goals at a rate of 37 percent but continued to struggle with long-range shots hitting only five out of twenty-one attempts (24 percent).

Fans should look forward to seeing if SHSU can capitalize on its ability to score inside while working on ball security and outside shooting efficiency. The venue has been favorable for them; however, maintaining focus throughout all four quarters will be crucial against FIU.

Bearkat supporters can catch all the action live on ESPN+ when these teams face off on February 16th at Bernard Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville starting at half-past midnight UTC time (February 15th local time).