Jabari Peters went 5-of-7 from the field to score 12 points to lead Sam Houston to a 61-44 non-conference men's basketball victory over Prairie View A&M Saturday afternoon.

Jayrn Johnson and Karim York each scored 10 points to lead Prairie View. The Panthers dropped to 1-10 for the year. Sam Houston, undefeated at home this year in five games, is 7-4 for the season

After the Panthers scored the first basket, Sam Houston never trailed, building a 23-point lead in the second half.

The Bearkats out-boarded Prairie View 42-26 with DeMarcus Gatlin, Michael Holyfield and Aurimas Majauskas each pulling down seven rebounds.

"While we didn't play our best game, we got some good things done today," SHSU head coach Jason Hooten said. "It's always a tough game to play right before Christmas. Prairie View A&M has a way better team than their 1-9 record reflects. They've played a tought road schedule."

Gatlin scored nine points and Paul Baxter, Dakarai Henderson and Majauskas each added eight apiece.

The Panthers kept things close during the first nine minutes of the game. Sam Houston led by only two, 14-12, with 10:58 left in the half.

A layup by Aurimas Majauskas started a 14-1 Bearkat run. A jumper by Majauskas put Sam Houston up 28-13 with 3:38 left. The Kats went into the locker run with a 17-point lead, 34-17.

Both teams scored 27 points in the second half. Sam Houston hit 42.6 percent from the field (20-of-47) while the Panthers produced a 34.0 shooting mark (18-of-53).

Sam Houston State now breaks for the Christmas holidays. Next action for the Kats is Monday, December 29, when the SHSU men play host to Howard Payne in a 6:30 p.m. contest at Johnson Coliseum.

The Bearkats open Southland Conference action Saturday, January 3, with a home matchup with Incarnate Word.