Jan. 15, 2007
Box Score
HUNTSVILLE - Junior Darren Hopkins scored a career-high 22 points, but it was not enough as Sam Houston State pulled away from Lamar University for an 88-52 win Monday night in Southland Conference men's basketball action at Johnson Coliseum.
Lamar dropped to 7-10 overall and 1-2 in SLC play. Sam Houston improved to 11-6 overall and 3-1 in SLC play. The Cardinals return home to host SLC newcomer Central Arkansas Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at the Montagne Center. Defending SLC champion Northwestern State comes to town Saturday at 7:05 p.m.
After Jejuan Plair made one-of-two free throws to give the Bearkats a 1-0 lead, Lamar's James Davis tied the game by also making 1-of-2 from the charity stripe. Shamir McDaniel hit a three-pointer and Ryan Bright hit a layup to give Sam Houston a 6-1 lead. The Bearkats would lead the rest of the way.
A Hopkins three-pointer at 4:31 pulled the Cardinals within seven, 27-20. McDaniel answered with a 3-pointer to push the lead back to 10, 30-20. After a Hopkins tip-in, Sam Houston went on a 13-0 run on consecutive 3-pointers by Aaron Wade, Plair and Jeremy Thomas to extend its lead to 39-22, a pair of free throws by McDaniel and a layup by Domas Kvedys.
Leading 45-27 at halftime, Sam Houston scored the first five points of the second half as Wade hit a 3-pointer and a tip-in to push the lead to 23 points, 52-27. Lamar would get no closer than 20 points the rest of the game.
Hopkins was 6 of 10 from the field, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range, and 6 of 8 from the free throw line in scoring a career-high. He also grabbed five rebounds. His previous scoring high was 21 points on two occasions.
Lamar Sanders added seven points, but the conference's leading rebounder (9.6 rpg) was held to just three boards. Lawrence Nwevo scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds off the bench.
Lamar shot 33.3 percent (15-of-45) from the field, 40 percent (6-of-15) from 3-point range and 57.1 percent (16-of-28) from the free throw line. The Cardinals were outrebounded 47 to 31.
James Barrett came off the bench to lead Sam Houston in scoring with 18 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range, and 4 of 4 from the free throw line. Wade added 16 points and nine rebounds, and McDaniel chipped in 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. C.J. Hadley scored 11 points off the bench.
Sam Houston shot 41.8 percent (28-of-67) from the field, 40 percent (12-of-30) from 3-point range and 87 percent (20-of-23) from the free throw line. The Bearkats forced 18 turnovers, which led to 18 points. Sam Houston also had a 17-4 advantage in second change points.
