HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — Sam Houston pulled away in the second half to defeat Delaware 72-60 in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats led 35-29 at halftime and maintained their advantage after the break, outscoring the Blue Hens 37-31. Sam Houston’s efficiency proved key, posting an offensive rating of 108.2 compared to Delaware’s 97.2. The Bearkats also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 16 of 18 attempts. Po’Boigh King led all scorers with 22 points for Sam Houston. Christian Bliss paced Delaware with 18 points and seven assists. The Bearkats improved to 9-6, while the Blue Hens fell to 5-10.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — Po’Boigh King scored 22 points and Sam Houston used a decisive advantage in free throws and points off turnovers to pull away from Delaware for a 72-60 victory in a Conference USA men’s basketball game Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats, improving to 9-6 overall, shot 16 of 18 from the foul line while the visiting Blue Hens managed just 8 of 12. Sam Houston also capitalized on Delaware’s mistakes, scoring 12 points off eight Blue Hen turnovers, while Delaware failed to score a single point off the Bearkats’ six giveaways. The game’s pivotal stretch came late in the first half. After Delaware’s Christian Bliss hit a 3-pointer to cut Sam Houston’s lead to 29-26 with just over five minutes remaining before halftime, the Bearkats clamped down. They closed the half on a 6-3 run, fueled by interior play and free throws, to take a 35-29 lead into the break. The sequence underscored the night’s themes: Sam Houston’s ability to get to the rim and the line, and Delaware’s struggle to sustain offensive momentum. Delaware, which fell to 5-10, never recovered its shooting touch. The Blue Hens finished the game shooting 39.6% from the field and 31.3% from 3-point range. Their offensive struggles were encapsulated by an efficiency rating of 97.2 points per 100 possessions. Sam Houston, while not sharp from the floor either at 37.5%, generated higher-quality looks near the basket, outscoring Delaware 30-20 in the paint, and supplemented its offense with consistent free-throw shooting. King, a 6-foot-4 guard from Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, was the catalyst for Sam Houston, hitting four 3-pointers. He was supported by 6-foot-10 forward Veljko Ilic of Serbia, who posted 15 points and a game-high four assists, often from the high post. Justin Begg added 11 points, and Jacob Walker chipped in seven points and five assists for the Bearkats. For Delaware, Bliss, a guard from Queens, New York, led all scorers with a well-rounded performance of 18 points and seven assists in 40 minutes. Forward Tyler Houser of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, added 15 points, and Justyn Fernandez of Richmond, Virginia, contributed 15 points and two blocks. But the Blue Hens’ offense often stagnated, resulting in only four total team assists. Sam Houston built its lead methodically in the second half, answering every Delaware push. After a Fernandez 3-pointer brought Delaware within 48-45 with 13:24 to play, the Bearkats responded with a 7-0 run. A driving layup by Begg, a free throw by King after a technical foul, and a transition layup by Ilic pushed the lead back to 10 points at 55-45, and Delaware could not mount another significant threat. The Bearkats also dominated the glass, particularly on the offensive end, where they grabbed 12 rebounds leading to 12 second-chance points. Delaware managed only five offensive rebounds. Sam Houston’s activity also translated to a 12-3 advantage in fast-break points. The game, played before a crowd of 875, saw Sam Houston perform largely as expected by oddsmakers, who had installed the Bearkats as a 12.5-point favorite. The combined point total of 132 fell well under the pregame over/under line of 144.5, reflecting both teams’ shooting difficulties from the field. Delaware, which had won two of its last three games including a victory over Kennesaw State last Sunday, continues its Texas road trip at Louisiana Tech on Saturday. Sam Houston, which had dropped its first two conference games by narrow margins before Thursday’s win, remains at home to host Liberty on Saturday. The most important part of the game was Sam Houston’s consistent ability to control the tempo and generate higher-percentage scoring opportunities, especially from the free-throw line. While neither team shot efficiently from the field, the Bearkats’ 88.9% free-throw shooting and their +12 margin in free throws made proved to be the critical, steadying factor in a contest marked by offensive inconsistency. This discipline, combined with their defensive pressure that yielded 12 points off turnovers to Delaware’s zero, created a sustainable advantage that Delaware’s sporadic perimeter shooting could never overcome.

Preview: Delaware Blue Hens at Sam Houston Bearkats HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — The Sam Houston Bearkats look to rebound from a narrow conference loss and solidify their winning record when they host the Delaware Blue Hens in a Conference USA men’s basketball matchup on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at Johnson Coliseum. Sam Houston (8-6) enters the contest after a difficult 67-68 road loss at Middle Tennessee on Sunday, a game decided by a single point. The Bearkats had won three straight prior to consecutive road losses at Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky to open their league schedule. Delaware (5-9) arrives with momentum from a 67-52 home victory over Kennesaw State on Sunday, snapping a two-game skid. The Blue Hens are seeking their first road win in conference play. The game features a compelling clash in the frontcourt. Sam Houston’s Veljko Ilic has been a force, averaging a double-double in recent play. He posted 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss at Middle Tennessee, following a 16-point, 12-rebound performance at Western Kentucky. Delaware will counter with the dynamic play of guard Christian Bliss, who is coming off a near triple-double. In the win over Kennesaw State, Bliss logged 40 minutes, scoring 19 points with eight rebounds and seven assists. Over his last three games, he is averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds while playing nearly every minute. Sam Houston holds the overall season advantage, but has shown vulnerability at home, including a non-conference loss to New Mexico State last month. Delaware’s record is marred by several double-digit losses, but the Blue Hens have shown they can be competitive when Bliss controls the tempo. The Bearkats will need to contain Bliss and leverage Ilic’s interior presence to establish control. For Delaware, finding consistent secondary scoring beyond Bliss and forward Tyler Houser, who also had 19 points on Sunday, will be critical against a Sam Houston team eager to protect its home floor. Thursday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the programs as new Conference USA foes. Following this game, Sam Houston hosts Liberty on Saturday, while Delaware travels to face Louisiana Tech.