HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — The Sam Houston Bearkats used a strong middle two quarters to defeat the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers 50-38 in a Conference USA women’s basketball game Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum. Sam Houston led 11-9 after the first quarter before outscoring Western Kentucky 15-8 in the second and 16-11 in the third to build a commanding 42-28 advantage. The Bearkats’ defense held the Lady Toppers to single-digit scoring in two quarters before a crowd of 520. The victory improved Sam Houston’s season record to 11-4, while Western Kentucky fell to 5-11.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined more by defensive pressure and offensive miscues than fluid scoring, the Sam Houston Bearkats grinded out a 50-38 victory over the Western Kentucky Lady Toppers in a Conference USA women’s basketball matchup on Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum. The contest, played before an announced crowd of 520, saw Sam Houston improve to 11-4 overall while Western Kentucky fell to 5-11. The most important part of the game was a decisive second-quarter surge by the Bearkats, fueled by their relentless full-court pressure. After a sluggish first quarter that ended with Sam Houston leading 11-9, the Bearkats tightened their defensive grip. They forced 10 Western Kentucky turnovers in the second period alone, converting those mistakes into 15 points. A 13-2 run over a five-minute span, highlighted by transition layups from guard Fanta Kone and a critical three-pointer from Annika Corcoran, stretched a narrow 13-11 lead to 26-13. The Lady Toppers, plagued by errant passes and shot-clock violations, managed only eight points in the quarter. Sam Houston entered halftime with a 26-17 advantage, a margin built almost entirely on points off turnovers. Western Kentucky never recovered from that stretch. The Lady Toppers showed brief sparks, cutting the deficit to nine points on several occasions in the second half, but could not string together enough successful possessions to mount a serious threat. Sam Houston’s lead ballooned to as many as 16 points in the third quarter. The statistical sheet underscored the struggle. Both teams shot under 34% from the floor, with Sam Houston at 33.9% and Western Kentucky at 41.2%. The difference came in volume and opportunity. Sam Houston attempted 56 field goals to Western Kentucky’s 34, a direct result of forcing 30 Lady Topper turnovers and grabbing 11 offensive rebounds. The Bearkats committed 23 turnovers of their own, but their defense ensured Western Kentucky could not capitalize to the same degree. Sam Houston’s offensive rating of 68.3 points per 100 possessions, while not efficient, was markedly better than Western Kentucky’s 57.0. The Bearkats also held a significant edge in steals, 15-12, and assists, 15-12. Kone, a guard from Bamako, Mali, led all scorers with 16 points in 34 minutes, adding four assists. Her penetration and activity in the passing lanes were central to Sam Houston’s game plan. For Western Kentucky, freshman post player Zsófia Telegdy of Budapest, Hungary, provided a bright spot with a team-high 11 points. Guard Trinity Rowe from Pikeville, Kentucky, also added 11 points. The game was a departure from recent form for both teams. Sam Houston entered having won three straight, including an overtime road victory at Delaware. Western Kentucky was coming off a home win against UTEP but had lost four of its previous five. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Sam Houston was projected with a 64.3% probability to win. Sam Houston continues its conference schedule at home against Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Western Kentucky travels to face Louisiana Tech on the same day.

Preview: Western Kentucky Lady Toppers at Sam Houston Bearkats HUNTSVILLE, Texas (Interstat) — A surging Sam Houston squad will host a Western Kentucky team seeking momentum in a Conference USA women’s basketball matchup Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats (10-4, 3-0 CUSA) enter on a four-game winning streak, including a 73-65 overtime road victory at Delaware on Saturday. Sam Houston has been led by the dynamic play of guard Fanta Kone, who posted a triple-double in that win with 14 points, 10 assists and five rebounds. Over her last five games, Kone is averaging 14.8 points and 6.8 assists, providing steady all-around production. Western Kentucky (5-10, 1-2) snapped a four-game skid with a 68-59 home win over UTEP last Saturday. The Lady Toppers will lean on guard Trinity Rowe, who scored 13 points in that victory. Rowe has been a consistent floor general, dishing 10 assists in a loss at Kennesaw State on Jan. 4. The teams present a stark contrast in season trajectories. Sam Houston’s defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to an average of 58.1 points during its current streak. The Bearkats also boast balanced scoring, with Deborah Ogayemi and Whitney Dunn combining for 39 points and 14 rebounds against Delaware. Western Kentucky has struggled offensively for much of the season, averaging just 58.7 points per game. Beyond Rowe, production has been inconsistent. Salma Khedr provided a boost with 18 points against UTEP, and similar secondary scoring will be crucial against a stout Sam Houston defense. This is the first meeting between the programs as Conference USA foes. The Bearkats will look to protect their perfect conference record at home, while the Lady Toppers aim to build on their first league win and steal a critical road victory. Following this game, Sam Houston hosts Middle Tennessee on Saturday. Western Kentucky travels to face Louisiana Tech the same day.