With a perfect 10-0 record in Southland Conference play, Sam Houston State has become the first men's basketball team to clinch a berth in the 2010 State Farm Southland Conference Post-Season Classic.

The Bearkats own a three-game lead on their two closest contenders for the regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in the tournament scheduled March 10 through 13. Winner of the post-season classic earns the Southland's automatic NCAA championships berth.

Tournament ticket booklets for the annual State Farm Southland Conference Post-Season Classic are now on-sale for $75 online at www.gobearkats.com or at the Sam Houston Athletic Ticket Office.

The Southland Conference basketball tournament will once again be returning to the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. Buying SLC Tournament ticket booklets from Sam Houston State guarantees fans seats in the Bearkat section behind the SHSU bench.

Fans can be part of the action in Katy to help cheer on the Bearkats in their bid to punch a ticket to the "Big Dance."

Purchase your SLC Tournament ticket booklet for $75 online at SHSU Ticket Office or by calling 936-294-1729. The Sam Houston athletic ticket office is located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tournament booklets include tickets to all sessions of the Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments. There are a limited number of booklets available in the SHSU cheering section. The demand for tickets at an all-time high for a chance to see the Bearkats play for a conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Tickets will be allocated based on a priority system and availability.

The women's tournament will get started on March 9 and the men will follow the next day. Therewill be four games each day the first three days of the tournament. The women's championship game will be Friday, March 12. The men's championship game will be Saturday, March 13. 

The men will be looking for their first trip back to the NCAA Tournament since 2003 and the SHSU women are searching for their first bid to the NCAA postseason. 

2010 State Farm
Southland Conference 
Basketball Tournament

Leonard E. Merrell Center
Katy, Texas
March 9-13

Men's Schedule

Quarterfinals
Wednesday, March 10
Game 1: Noon
Game 2: 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: 6 p.m.
Game 4: 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals
Thursday, March 11
Game 5: 6 p.m. (Southland TV)
Game 6: 8:30 p.m. (Southland TV)

Championship Game
Saturday, March 13
Game 7: 3 p.m. (ESPN2)

Women's Schedule

Quarterfinals
Tuesday, March 9
Game 1: Noon
Game 2: 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: 6 p.m.
Game 4: 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals
Thursday, March 11
Game 5: Noon (Southland TV)
Game 6: 2:30 p.m. (Southland TV)

Championship Game
Friday, March 12
Game 7: 7 p.m. (Southland TV)