Sam Houston State's impressive performance on the road led to a convincing 76-63 win over Florida International at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center. The Bearkats' balanced offense and stout defense proved too much for the Panthers to handle, as they controlled the game from start to finish.
The first half saw both teams trade baskets, with Sam Houston State taking a slim 34-35 lead into halftime. However, the Bearkats came out strong in the second half, outscoring Florida International 42-28 to pull away for the 13-point victory. Jacobe Coleman led the charge for Sam Houston State, scoring 14 points, while Po'Boigh King and Veljko Ilic added 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Bearkats' ability to spread the scoring around made it difficult for the Panthers to key in on any one player.
Julian Mackey did his best to keep Florida International in the game, scoring 23 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Corey Stephenson chipped in with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Ashton Williamson added 9 points and 6 rebounds. Despite these efforts, the Panthers were unable to overcome the Bearkats' balanced attack.
The win improves Sam Houston State's record to 13-7, while Florida International falls to 10-10. This matchup was a Quadrant 3 game for both teams, and the outcome will have implications for their respective tournament resumes. Sam Houston State, currently ranked 100th in the net rankings, want to build on this win as they continue their push for a postseason berth.
For Florida International, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one. The Panthers, ranked 183rd in the net rankings, still have time to make a move in their conference and improve their tournament chances. However, they must bounce back quickly from this defeat and string together some wins to get back on track.
The Bearkats' victory is a reflection of their strength and depth, and it will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to their tournament resume. As the season enters its final stretch, Sam Houston State want to continue its strong play and make a push for a higher seed in the postseason. With this win, the Bearkats have taken a significant step in the right direction, and their tournament chances have improved accordingly.