Sam Houston (12-16, 6-7) was led on the scoreboard by Demarcus Gatlin with 17 points and Konner Tucker with 14 points.
Northwestern State (15-13, 7-6) shot 19.7 percent from the field (13-of-66) and was 0-for-26 from three point range in the loss. No Demon scored in double figures.
Dennis Green totaled 21 rebounds in a 1989 victory over Southwest Texas to be the last Sam Houston player to pull down 20 or more boards in a single game.
Bootle added six points as he helped the Bearkats to out-rebound Northwestern State 55-46.
"Before the game, we told the guys that Northwestern State had lost 12 games this year when they were held to 60 points or less," SHSU head coach Jason Hooten said. "We knew we had to keep the score down tonight."
Sam Houston led 20-14 at intermission and outscored the Demons 30-23 in the second period.
The Bearkats have won four of their last five Southland Conference games. Sam Houston will play host to Lamar Saturday at 7 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum.
SHSU's G-Men
