Sam Houston has been on the cusp. The Bearkats had just two wins over Division I opponents in the non-conference slate. But that second win awoke a sleeping giant.
And on Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum, the Bearkats put on a show. Savion Flagg had a game-high 22 and the Bearkats put the beat down on New Mexico State, 71-46.
With the win, Sam Houston improves to 6-1 in WAC play and 11-9 overall. The Bearkats also snapped New Mexico State’s 10-game winning streak.
Sam Houston came out firing on Thursday night. Savion Flagg hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start the game and the rout was on. Demarkus Lampley hit a jumper that made it 8-0 and Tristan Ikpe’s layup made it a 10-0 start.
The Bearkats never looked back. Sam Houston hit seven 3-pointers in the first half. In fact, the Bearkats made more 3-pointers in the first half than New Mexico State had field goals (6).
What’s even more impressive is the Bearkats went into the halftime locker room up 20 and Savion Flagg only had six points. Donte Powers had a team-high nine points in the first half after hitting three 3-pointers.
And then the second half got off to nearly the exact same start. Savion Flagg started a 6-0 run with a jumper. And by the time the first media timeout of the second half came, the lead was 27.
Out of the timeout, Savion Flagg made it a 30-point lead with a 3-pointer.
And the hits just kept coming. A little 11-0 run late by New Mexico State late made it a little more respectable.
New Mexico State falls to 15-3 overall and 5-1 in WAC play.
Next up for Sam Houston is Grand Canyon on Saturday. New Mexico State heads to Nacogdoches to take on Stephen F. Austin.
Impressive Defensive Effort
Let’s give a little credit where it is due, as well. The Sam Houston defense held New Mexico State’s starting five to just 17 points. Yes, nine points. Teddy Allen had two points. This is the same guy that went for 41 points against Abilene Christian on Saturday. Jabari Rice was held scoreless. Nate Pryor had five points. Johnny McCants had a team-high eight points. And Will McNair had two points.
Sam Houston held New Mexico State to 27 percent shooting in the first half. And then just 30 percent in the second half.
It was a clinic all night in Johnson Coliseum.
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