HAMMOND, La. (AP) - Kaheem Ransom scored 22 points Thursday and Sam Houston State defeated Southeastern Louisiana 85-78.
Jabari Peters scored 17 for the Bearkats (12-5, 4-1 Southland), Paul Baxter 13, Michael Holyfield 12, and James Thomas 11.
Southeast Louisiana (7-9, 2-3) pulled ahead 11-7 on a layup by Antonnio Benton and the lead changed hands five times until Terrance Motley’s layup at 9:53 sparked a 10-0 run and Sam Houston State led 40-34 at halftime.
The Bearkats increased their led to 15 in the second half on a layup by Holyfield, but the Lions answered with a 10-0 run. A dunk by Devonte Upson made it a six-point game at 11:11, but Southeastern Louisiana got no closer.
The Bearkats outshot the Lions 63 percent to 55.1 percent and out-rebounded them 31-17.
JaMichael Hawkins led the Lions with 26 points, including 7 of 10 from long range, and Dre Evans scored 18.
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