In a thrilling Thursday night game, Lamar Wilkerson propelled Sam Houston to a narrow 89-87 victory over UTEP, leading his team with an impressive 29 points. Wilkerson showcased his sharpshooting skills by hitting 12 of his 22 shots, including five successful three-pointers out of nine attempts, showcasing a striking performance for the Bearkats in this Conference USA matchup.
Supporting Wilkerson’s effort, Marcus Boykin was a standout with 18 points, going 5 of 8 from the field while being perfect from the free-throw line with seven successful attempts. He also contributed significantly on the boards and with assists, as he gathered seven rebounds and dished out five assists. Cameron Huefner also delivered an important contribution, shooting effectively with 4 of 8 from the floor and capitalizing on free-throw chances, going 6 out of 8, for a total of 17 points.
On the UTEP side, Devon Barnes was a key performer with 16 points and two steals, seeking to halt their losing trend. Corey Camper Jr. added 15 points along with three steals for the Miners, while Ahamad Bynum chipped in with 13 points, yet the team’s struggle continued, marking their sixth consecutive loss.
Sam Houston made a critical move in the second half with a pivotal 12-2 run that flipped a four-point disadvantage into a lead, securing a 70-64 edge with just over six minutes left to play. This momentum shift was crucial in their eventual victory, with Wilkerson contributing 14 points in the second half alone to ensure the win.
Both teams are preparing to conclude their regular season schedules this Saturday. Sam Houston is set to host New Mexico State, while UTEP will make their way to Louisiana Tech in hopes of snapping their ongoing losing streak.
