The contest is the final leg of a four-game road swing for the Bearkats. Sam Houston stands 4-5 for the year and has won three of its last five outings.

Samford (2-9) heads into the game with a 2-2 record at home in the Pete Hanna Center this season. The Bulldogs defeated Georgia Southern 59-40 in their last home event to open Southern Conference play.

Samford's home losses this season have come against Texas-Arlington on Nov. 24 and Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 28. Since the SoCon victory over Georgia Southern, the Bulldogs have been defeated in road non-conference games at No. 19-ranked Kentucky and Bowling Green.

Sam Houston State defeated Houston Baptist on the road, 69-57 last Saturday. The Bearkats own home victories over Hardin-Simmons, Liberty and UC-Irvine.

With no player scoring in double figures this season, the Kats are looking to find a consistent scoring threat. Seven different players have led Sam Houston in scoring in games this season.

Nathaniel Mason posted a team best 22 points in the victory at HBU last week. Returning starter Demarcus Gatlin and freshman guard Paul Baxter have been game scoring leaders this year.

Post player Michael Holyfield posted a season best nine rebounds in the victory over the Huskies. The 6-11 sophomore leads the team under the boards with a 46 rebounds.

Samford is paced by 6-8 forward Tim Williams (14.8 points per game) and 6-4 guard Raijon Kelly (13.2).

Following the trip to Birmingham, Sam Houston will return to Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum for a non-conference game with Huston-Tillotson from Austin, a member of the Red River Conference, Wednesday at 7 p.m.