Sam Houston Bearkats

Gilmore leads SF Austin to dominating 65-53 win over SHSU (Mar 03, 2018)

Published Mar. 3, 2018 10:31 p.m. ET

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) Leon Gilmore III scored a career-high 23 points with 11 rebounds and four blocks as Stephen F. Austin jumped out to an early lead and dominated Sam Houston State 65-53 on Saturday night in the regular-season finale.

Both teams will have a first-round bye in the upcoming Southland Conference Tournament set to begin in Katy, Texas on Wednesday. Stephen F. Austin (25-6, 14-4) has a No. 3 seed and Sam Houston State (18-13, 12-6) enters the tourney as the No. 4 seed.

Shannon Bogues added 15 points for SFA. Gilmore had 12 points and three blocks in the first half.

The Lumberjacks powered their way to a 37-16 halftime advantage, shooting 54 percent (13-24) from the field while limiting SHSU to 6-of-27 shooting (22 percent).

The Bearkats got back in the game in the second half, besting the Lumberjacks 37-28, but SFA maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the final period.

SFA has dominated this rivalry recently, winning 16 of the last 17 meetings, including an 82-66 victory earlier this year.

Christopher Galbreath Jr. had 13 points and Marcus Harris added 12 for SHSU.

Get more from Sam Houston Bearkats Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Sam Houston Bearkats

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Southland