Sam Houston rallies past short-handed UIW, 85-74


UIW freshman Keaton Hervey drives the baseline for a dunk in the first half

Former MacArthur standout Marcus Harris scored 16 points Saturday as the Sam Houston State Bearkats rallied for an 85-74 victory over the University of the Incarnate Word.

Playing its Southland Conference home opener, UIW (5-8, 0-3) shot 55.6 percent in the first half and surged into an 11-point lead with 1:27 left before intermission.

Sam Houston (8-8, 2-1) retaliated in the second half with aggressive play and 65.5 percent shooting to outscore the home team 52-34.

Saddled with its fifth straight loss, UIW was without starting point guard Jalin Hart, who says he is sidelined for two weeks because of academic issues.

The Cardinals also suffered a blow with an injury to guard Keaton Hervey, who couldn’t finish the game.

Hervey started fast with nine points on 3 of 5 shooting before he had to sit down.

Sparking the Bearkats, Harris hit 4 of 9 from the field and 8 of 11 at the free-throw line.

He led five other Sam Houston players in double figures, including John Dewey III with 13, and Josh Boutte, Abrian Edwards, Josh Delaney and Jamal Williams with 10 each.

Charles Brown III led UIW with 21 points on 6 of 7 shooting. Sam Burmeister came off the bench for 16. Cody Graham, starting for Hart, finished with 15 points and four assists.