Southland: Sam Houston State survives outburst by Nicholls State star

KATY, Texas -- Ashton Mitchell scored 20 points to lead top-seeded Sam Houston State to a 62-57 victory over Nicholls State in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament Wednesday.

Sam Houston State (23-7) withstood a 40-point performance from Anatoly Bose, who was 15 of 23 from the field, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range, and kept the No. 8-seeded Colonels close throughout the game.

Nicholls State (11-19) took its last lead on an inside score by Bose with 9:50 to play. Mitchell scored on a layup on Sam Houston State's next possession and the Bearkats held on down the stretch. Full story

Southeastern Louisiana 79, Texas State 78 (OT)

Patrick Sullivan's free throw with 2.3 seconds left lifted Southeastern Louisiana to an overtime victory.

Southeastern Louisiana (19-11) overcame a 41-24 halftime deficit behind Trent Hutchin, who scored 18 of his team-high 21 points in the second half. Texas State (15-16) was paced by Cameron Johnson's 23 points.

Stephen F. Austin 77, Texas-Arlington 54

Eddie Williams scored 22 points for Stephen F. Austin, which will play Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the semifinals Thursday.

Orren Tims came off the bench to add 17 points for the Lumberjacks (22-8). Marquez Haynes, the Southland Player of the Year, led the Mavericks (16-14) with 17 points.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 78, Texas-San Antonio 66

Kevin Palmer scored 26 points, including 18 in the second half, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated UTSA.

LaMarr Drake and Shamar Coombs each added 11 points for the third-seeded Islanders (17-14). Morris Smith IV finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the sixth-seeded Roadrunners (19-11).