Huefner, Powers Lead Bearkats to Fort Myers Tip-Off Title

Sam Houston men’s basketball head coach said that Cameron Huefner has potential. Associate head coach Chris Mudge has said Huefner is really good. But, it has been a struggle for Huefner offensively thru five games in 2022-23.

That struggle was non-existent for Huefner on Wednesday afternoon at the Fort Myers Tip-Off.

Huefner was a 9-11 from the field, a perfect 4-4 from 3-point land in leading Sam Houston to an 80-49 win over South Dakota to win the Palms Division.

Donte Powers was also lights out on Wednesday. Powers finished with 20 points and was 7-9 from the field. The senior guard also hit four 3-pointers in the win.

It is the second straight game in which Sam Houston won by 30-plus points. The Bearkats beat Northern Illinois on Tuesday by 34. And on Wednesday, an 11-0 run late in the second half turned what was a close game into a rout.

Sam Houston led 33-19 at the break. And following a Max Burchill jumper to start the second half, the Bearkats reeled off a 9-0 run to push the lead to 21 with 16:13 to play. Another 6-0 run capped off by a Kian Scroggins layup with 13:02 to play pushed the lead to 25.

Cameron Huefner has provided a ? off the bench.#EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/522D6dNijR

— Sam Houston Men's Basketball (@BearkatsMBB) November 23, 2022

With 11:30 to play, Huefner decided to really take over. The 6-7 sophomore knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and a hook shot in the paint go push the lead to 28 with 10:25 to play.

Huefner’s final 3-pointer came with 8:45 to play and Sam Houston cruised to the 31-point win.

Kian Scroggins had nine points in the win as the Bearkats shot 56 percent from the field. Sam Houston had 36 points in the paint and 51 bench points. The Bearkats also had 25 points off turnovers in the win.

Paul Bruns was the only Coyote in double figures with 12.

The Bearkats are now 6-0 and return home as Fort Myers Tip-Off Palm Division champions. Sam Houston has the weekend off before heading to Reno for a late Monday night tip at Nevada.

The Kats are the Palm Division ? of the Fort Myers Tip-off with a dominating performance in the title game#EatEmUpKats

? https://t.co/skBInVBMQB
? KSAM https://t.co/GkFqZnTYQj
? https://t.co/IJ0b8WP6NA pic.twitter.com/gdhhPEWANQ

— Sam Houston Men's Basketball (@BearkatsMBB) November 23, 2022