Preview: Florida International at Sam Houston HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — A surging Sam Houston squad looks to solidify its Conference USA standing Thursday when it hosts a Florida International team seeking to salvage its season. The Bearkats (19-8, 9-5 C-USA) enter the 7 p.m. CST tipoff at Johnson Coliseum having won seven of their last nine games. The Golden Panthers (13-14, 5-9) have lost four of their last six, leaving them near the bottom of the league. Sam Houston, which won the first meeting 76-63 in Miami on Jan. 17, is led by guard Po’Boigh King. He is averaging 17.1 points per game in conference play and comes in hot, scoring 19 points in Saturday’s 82-78 win over Jacksonville State. He has topped 17 points in four of his last six outings. Florida International will counter with forward Hamed Olayinka, a versatile defensive presence. Olayinka is coming off a 13-point, 8-rebound, 2-block performance in a 70-67 win over Missouri State last Saturday. He recorded a stunning 17-rebound, 5-block game in a win over Louisiana Tech on Feb. 14. The Bearkats have been strong at home, posting an 11-2 record in Huntsville this season. The Golden Panthers are just 3-8 in true road games. For Sam Houston, a victory is crucial to maintain momentum ahead of the conference tournament and keep pace near the top of the standings. For Florida International, the game represents a chance to play spoiler and build on the momentum of its narrow win last weekend. Following this game, Sam Houston hosts Missouri State on Saturday. Florida International travels to face Louisiana Tech the same day.