By Paul Ridings Jr.
For The Huntsville Item
HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston State senior Ray Alexander did it all Wednesday night in an 82-66 win over Northwestern State.
Alexander recorded a triple-double, pouring in 15 points, dishing out 12 assists and nabbing 10 steals to lead the red-hot Bearkats to their fourth victory in their last five games.
With the win, the Bearkats clinched the No. 6 seed in next week’s Southland tournament. The State Farm Southland Conference Postseason Classic begins Tuesday at the Merrell Center in Katy.
Tenacious defense kept the Demons off balance as Sam Houston led wire to wire to run its 2010 season record to 10-17, the first double-digit victory year for the Bearkat women since 2000.
“Ray was on fire tonight, picking up a triple-double,” Bearkats coach Brenda Nichols said. “We won five of our last seven games and the reason why is defense.
“The girls are excited about going to the tournament. We’re peaking at the right time, getting great minutes off the bench as well as from the starters.”
Sam Houston jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first three minutes and never looked back. The Kats led 41-30 at intermission and were up by as many as 21 points in the second half.
The Bearkat defense forced Northwestern State (6-9 in Southland play, 13-16 overall) into 23 turnovers. Those miscues resulted in 31 Sam Houston points. The Kats totaled 20 steals.
Senior guard Brittany Brooks led all scorers, totaling 22 points for Sam Houston (7-8 in Southland play). Whitney Smith and Chanice Smith each scored 10 points.
Brooke Shepherd led the Demons with 15 points.
Sam Houston closes the regular season at home Saturday at 2 p.m. against Texas State. A Bearkat win could give SHSU an 8-8 Southland Conference record.
