HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Hal Bateman scored 15 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line, dished out eight assists and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Stephen F. Austin past Sam Houston State 50-44 on Wednesday night.
Stephen F. Austin is now tied atop the Southland Conference with Northwestern State.
Taylor Smith chipped in with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Jacob Parker had 10 and the Lumberjacks (22-3, 13-2 Southland) have won six of their last seven contests.
The Bearkats (14-12, 7-7) cut Stephen F. Austin’s lead to three, 41-38, after James Thomas hit a lay-up with 4:35 to go but the Lumberjacks followed with an 8-2 run thanks to a bucket and two free throws by Bateman and a 3-pointer by Parker to put the game away for good.
Thomas ended his night with 14 points and eight rebounds. Nathaniel Mason had 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and grabbed five rebounds.
