The Sam Houston State Bearkats secured a crucial 78-70 victory over the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, with Jacob Walker leading the charge with 20 points, including 12 in the first half when Sam Houston built a 12-point lead. This win marked their fifth in the last six games, with the lone loss being a 9-point defeat at Louisiana Tech. Over their last five games, Sam Houston has averaged 78.8 points per game, outscoring their opponents by an average of 4.8 points. In contrast, Middle Tennessee has struggled, losing four of their last five, with their only win being a 3-point victory over Kennesaw State. The Blue Raiders have averaged 80.4 points per game over this stretch but have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points.
As the game progressed, it became clear that Sam Houston's balanced attack would be difficult for Middle Tennessee to overcome. Veljko Ilic contributed 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Po'Boigh King added 12 points, including 8 in the second half when Middle Tennessee attempted to mount a comeback. The Blue Raiders were led by Torey Alston, who scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. Chris Loofe and Alec Oglesby each added 15 and 12 points, respectively, but Middle Tennessee's inability to defend Sam Houston's perimeter shooting, which included 7 three-pointers, ultimately sealed their fate. Sam Houston shot 44% from beyond the arc, with Walker and King combining for 5 of the 7 made three-pointers.
Beyond the stat line, it was evident that Walker's ability to hit big shots was crucial for Sam Houston. He scored 8 of his 20 points in the final 10 minutes of the game, including a dagger three-pointer with 2:15 remaining to put the Bearkats up by 10. Ilic, on the other hand, did the dirty work, grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing out 5 assists, including 3 in the second half when Middle Tennessee was trying to cut into the lead. For Middle Tennessee, Alston was the lone bright spot, scoring 10 of his 16 points in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. Loofe and Oglesby combined for 27 points, but their shooting percentages were not enough to keep up with Sam Houston's balanced attack.
The CHD Scout prediction of a 10.6-point victory for Sam Houston was correct, and upon further review, it's clear that the model accurately accounted for the Bearkats' strong recent form and Middle Tennessee's struggles on the road.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The prediction was correct because Sam Houston's defense, which has allowed an average of 74 points per game over their last five, was able to limit Middle Tennessee's high-powered offense, which has averaged 80.4 points per game over their last five. The Bearkats' ability to defend the perimeter and limit Middle Tennessee's three-point shooting, which has been a strength for the Blue Raiders, was a key factor in the game. Additionally, Sam Houston's balanced attack, which has been a hallmark of their recent success, was able to overcome Middle Tennessee's defense, which has struggled to contain opponents' scoring.
As the season enters its final stretch, this win has real consequences for Sam Houston's tournament picture. With the victory, the Bearkats improved to 18-8 overall and 105 in the NET rankings, solidifying their position as a potential bubble team.
The win over Middle Tennessee, a Quadrant 2 opponent, will likely boost Sam Houston's resume, potentially moving them up a seed line in the tournament conversation. For Middle Tennessee, the loss drops them to 12-14 overall and 161 in the NET rankings, making their tournament hopes increasingly slim. The Blue Raiders must win out and potentially secure a conference tournament championship to have any chance of making the tournament. Sam Houston, on the other hand, has put themselves in a good position, but they must continue to win and potentially secure a few more Quadrant 1 victories to solidify their tournament bid.
In the end, Sam Houston's 78-70 victory over Middle Tennessee was a reflection of their strength and depth, as they were able to overcome a tough opponent and secure a crucial win. With the Bearkats' recent form and balanced attack, they have put themselves in a good position to make a run in the tournament. Middle Tennessee, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late-season push and secure a tournament bid. The Blue Raiders' inability to defend Sam Houston's perimeter shooting and their struggles on the road must be addressed if they hope to turn their season around. As the season enters its final stretch, it will be interesting to see how both teams respond to this outcome and how it affects their tournament hopes. Sam Houston's win over Middle Tennessee was a significant one, and it will likely have a lasting impact on both teams' seasons. With 8 games remaining in the regular season, Sam Houston want to build on this momentum and secure a tournament bid, while Middle Tennessee must win out and secure a conference tournament championship to have any chance of making the tournament. The Bearkats' 18-8 record and 105 NET ranking have them in a good position, but they must continue to win and potentially secure a few more Quadrant 1 victories to solidify their tournament bid. Middle Tennessee's 12-14 record and 161 NET ranking make their tournament hopes increasingly slim, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late-season push.