HAMMOND, La. (AP) — Brandon Fortenberry scored 22 points and Southeastern Louisiana held off Sam Houston State to snap a two-game losing skid with a 69-65 victory Thursday night.
The Lions (6-11, 4-3 Southland Conference) were behind 30-27 at halftime and trailed until Dre Evans’ 3-pointer put them ahead 38-37 with 15:50 to play.
Terrance Motley’s jumper quickly put the Bearkats (11-8, 4-3) back ahead, but after Darius Gatson’s basket made it 40-38 Sam Houston State, Roosevelt Johnson’s layup sparked a 5-0 Southeastern Louisiana run to put the Lions ahead for good.
Southeastern Louisiana never led by more than seven, and the Bearkats twice cut the lead to two points in the final 30 seconds, the last on Gatson’s free throw with 4 seconds remaining. Johnson responded with two free throws, though, and Sam Houston State’s Paul Baxter missed a desperation 3 to end it.
DeMarcus Gatlin led the Bearkats with 15 points.
