Rockets 59-Bearkats 58

The University of Toledo Rockets defeated the Sam Houston State Bearkat men’s basketball team 59-58 on Saturday. The game was a part of the Sears BracketBuster.

Guard Konner Tucker and forward Steven Werner led the Kats with 14 points each.

“I thought we played good tonight, but it was not enough to win,” Tucker said.

The first nine minutes of the first half was a battle between the two teams as they were a total of 30 points exchanged between them with the game tied at 15.

The Rockets went on a 10-7 run to lead it by the score of 27-22. They closed the half on a 7-4 run to lead it 34-27.

The Bearkats opened the second half with a 5-2 run to cut the lead to 36-32.

They maintained they moment with a 9-4 run to take the lead by the score of 41-40.

The Rockets answered with 5-0 run on back-to-back three pointers to regain the lead by the score of 46-41.

The Bearkats went on a 6-0 run to regain the lead by the score of 47-46.

The Rockets did not went away as they went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 51 with 4:05 remaining in the game.

It remained tight between them as they exchanged a total of five points with the Rockets leading 55-53 with 1:27 left in the game.

The Rockets held off a Bearkat rally in the final minutes of the game to take this year’s Bracket Buster game.

“I thought our guys played hard today,” Bearkat head basketball coach Jason Hooten said. “They wanted to win the game.”

Forward Reese Holliday led the Rockets with 14 points, 4 rebounds and one assist. Guard Julius Brown and guard Rian Pearson contributed with 12 points each.

The Bearkats are now 11-16 for the season. The loss does not affect their Southland Conference record because the Sears BracketBuster was a non-conference game.

“If I had to choice of which one I want to win, I’ll choose a conference all the way,” coach Hooten said.

The Bearkats next game will be at Northwestern State on Wednesday, February 22. Game time is at 7 p.m. For more information, visit gobearkats.com