WKU Men’s Basketball traveled to the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville, Texas where they took on the Sam Houston Bearkats, falling in a tight game, 78-74. 

This is the team’s first loss since November, snapping an eight-game win streak.  All their losses have come on the road. 

WKU’s biggest issue was foul trouble as they committed 21 fouls, responsible for 20 free throw attempts.  They responded with a stout offense, shooting 45% from both the field and from behind the arc.  The defense forced 15 total turnovers and held the Bearkats to just eight three-pointers. 

Junior guard Don McHenry had 15 points along with senior guard Brandon Newman’s 14 points, five rebounds, and three steals. 

Both teams opened slow to start the game.  The teams were neck and neck until an 11-2 run for the Bearkats. Newman scored five points to help the team cut the Sam Houston lead to six.  Newman had 10 points and four rebounds while fellow guard McHenry had eight points despite shooting 2-8 from the field.  The team shot 32.7% from the field in the half. 

In the second half, the team regrouped and shot 55.9% from the field and 62.5% from three.  Senior forward Tyrone Marshall Jr. had all his nine points in the second half along with a pair of blocks.  Senior guard Khristian Lander had eight points and four assists. 

The second half started with Sam Houston managing a comfortable lead, growing as large as seven.  WKU constantly fouled Sam Houston, leading to easy points at the line.  With three minutes left in the game, WKU managed to take the lead, setting the back and forth.  The teams traded threes to end the game and a missed jumper by McHenry sealed the game for Sam Houston.

The Hilltoppers will continue conference play when they host Jacksonville State at E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. CT.