After a 1-3 start, the Bearkats have won seven of their last nine games including their last five in a row.

Senior guard Darius Gatson was the leading scorer for Sam Houston as Bearkats picked up their fifth victory in a row Friday over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Gatson hit a three-pointer to tie game 49-49 with 3:44 to play as Kats outscored Islanders 8-4 in the final minutes.

No player on the SHSU roster is averaging in double figures but the Kats' attack certainly is balance with six players averaging between 6.5 and 8.7 points per game. In SHSU's 13 games, the Bearkats have been led in scoring by eight different players. Nine players have scored in double figures at least once.

Both Northwestern State and Sam Houston are undefeated in Southland action.

The Demons stand 2-0 after defeating McNeese State 78-63 and Lamar 86-58. Both games were on the road.

Northwestern State features the Southland Conference's top scoring offense. The Demons are averaging 84.8 points per game.

Sam Houston ranks number two in the league in defense, giving up only 60.9 points per contest.