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HOUSTON – HBU picked up its third win in the last four meetings against Sam Houston State on Thursday evening at Sharp Gym, taking down the Bearkats 88-77 in Southland Conference play.
 
Colter Lasher had a hand in the Huskies' (12-12, 8-6 SLC) first eight points, dishing out a pair of assists to Josh Ibarra, hitting a three and tying the score at 8-8 with a free throw. Sam Houston State (18-9, 9-5 SLC) got out to a six-point lead after a Cameron Delaney jumper with 9:11 left in the half but HBU stayed within striking distance, pulling tied at 27-27 on a Braxton Bonds layup with 3:56 on the clock. The rest of the half, HBU took advantage of nine consecutive points from Atif Russell for an 11-point run and a 38-27 lead before taking a 42-35 lead into the half.
 
HBU came out hot in the second half, extending the lead as high as 19 less than eight minutes into the second period after an Ibarra made free throw. Leading 61-42, the Bearkats went on a 17-2 run of their own to cut the Husky lead to 63-59 with 9:30 left. The Huskies responded by pushing the lead back to double-digits, 73-62 after a Lasher three. HBU maintained that double-digit lead over the final 6:39.
 
Russell finished the night 7-of-9 from the floor, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, for 18, his highest point total as a Husky. Russell added three assists, three rebounds and a pair of steals. Bonds also put up 18 points, grabbing six boards, dishing three assists and adding a pair of steals and a blocked shot.
 
Lasher hit 3-of-6 from deep and ended the game with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Ibarra also scored 15 while picking up a career-high three steals. Reveal Chukwujekwu led all players with 10 rebounds.
 
The Bearkats were led by John Dewey III with 14 points while Chris Galbreath Jr. and Jovante' Spivey each added 11. Paul Baxter was the other Bearkat to reach double-digits in scoring with 10.
 
HBU shot 46.8 percent (29-of-62) for the game and was 9-of-18 (50 percent) from beyond the arc. SHSu finished the game at 43.5 percent (27-of-62) from the floor. The Huskies held a 39-36 advantage on the boards and forced the Bearkats into 17 turnovers while committing 14.
 
HBU swept the season series with Sam Houston State for the first time since the 1978-79 season when they were coached by Gene Iba. With the win, the Huskies moved into fifth place in the Southland standings.
 
HBU jumps back into Southland action, heading to Lake Charles, La. to take on McNeese at 7:00 p.m. at the Burton Coliseum. The Huskies beat the Cowboys 60-49 in Sharp Gym earlier this season.