BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) Jabari Peters scored 20 points, Paul Baxter added 15, and Sam Houston State held off a second-half surge by Lamar to win 67-61 on Thursday and could claim a share of the Southland Conference title if they beat defending champion Stephen F. Austin (26-4, 16-1) on Saturday.
Kaheem Ransom added five assists and the Bearkats (24-6, 15-2) shot 8 of 24 from long distance against the Cardinals (15-15, 9-9), who haven't had a winning season since 2011-12.
Baxter's layup sparked a 13-2 run and the Bearkats led 24-18, but Marcus Owens made a layup with one second left to tie it at 32 at halftime.
Lamar pulled within 45-44 in the second half after Donovan Ross hit a jumper with 10:13 left, then Anthony Holliday's two free throws pulled them within 60-56 with 1:06 to go, but the Bearkats made six free throws down the stretch.
Holliday led the Cardinals with 20 points and Dontavious Sears added 13.
