Bearkats Blaze Past Flames in High-Scoring Affair at Johnson Coliseum
The Sam Houston State Bearkats emerged victorious with an impressive 83-73 win over the Liberty Flames. The Bearkats' season record now stands at a commendable 1-0, while the Flames fall to 0-1. The game, held at Bernard Johnson Coliseum, showcased the Bearkats' offensive efficiency and defensive resilience.
From the opening tip-off, the Sam Houston State Bearkats set a commanding pace, ending the first half with a substantial lead. Their shooting was particularly effective; they boasted a field goal percentage of 55 percent and were successful on two-thirds of their two-point attempts. The team's free throw accuracy was also notable at 75 percent.
The Bearkats demonstrated their ability to control various aspects of the game beyond scoring. They collected a total of 30 rebounds, with personal rebounds accounting for nearly all of them (29). On defense, they managed to block four shots and matched their opponents with four steals each. This defensive effort contributed significantly to limiting the Flames' scoring opportunities.
Offensively, assists played a crucial role in facilitating scoring for the Bearkats as they tallied up 13 assists throughout the game. Their ball handling resulted in fewer turnovers than their opponents (11 compared to 12), which helped maintain their lead during critical moments.
The Liberty Flames did put up strong numbers despite falling short on the scoreboard. They ended with an overall field goal percentage of 41 percent and made ten three-pointers at a rate of about one-third success per attempt (34 percent). However, it wasn't enough to overcome their deficit from earlier in play.
In terms of points distribution for both teams, points off turnovers were significant; however, it was here that Sam Houston outperformed Liberty by doubling their output – securing 16 points from this avenue alone compared to just eight by Liberty.
As fans look ahead after this solid performance by Sam Houston State Bearkats basketball team, attention turns toward future matchups. The next challenge will be against New Mexico State Aggies on February 22nd at Pan American Center in Las Cruces NM starting at 7:00 PM local time (9:00 PM Eastern Time). Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into CBS Sports Network on channel number two hundred twenty-one for national coverage.