Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information

Huntsville-Only three men’s basketball teams remain unbeaten in Southland Conference action and one of them comes to Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Saturday.

The Bearkats play host to Nicholls State at 3:45 p.m.

The Colonels are tied for first place with Stephen F. Austin and A&M-Corpus Christi.

All three are 3-0.

Sam Houston stands 2-1 after an 86-81 victory over McNeese State Thursday.

Saturday is Double Dave’s Double Header pizza day.

Double Dave’s is the host for an after the game party following the women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader.

Nicholls owns Southland victories over New Orleans and Southeastern Louisiana at home and comes off a 64-60 win at Lamar Thursday night.

The Colonels are paced by 6-1 guard Dantrell Thomas who is averaging 15.8 points per game.

Sam Houston lost to Nicholls in both the pair’s meeting last year.

The Colonels won 61-56 in overtime in Thibodaux and 56-53 in Huntsville.

The Bearkat men opened Southland play with a 107-104 double overtime victory over preseason Southland favorite Northwestern State, then fell at Stephen F. Austin 73-56 a week ago.

Three different players have led the Kats in scoring in each of their Southland games.

Sophomore guard Paul Baxter owns the team’s top average in league play with 14.3 points per contest.

Guards Jabari Peters and Kaheem Ransom hold Southland scoring means of 13.3 and 11.3, respectively.

Junior center Michael Holyfield is averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in league action.

Saturday’s men’s game will be broadcast live on KSAM 101.7 FM and streamed live on www.gobearkats.com .

Next action for the Bearkat men will be a trip to Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans next Thursday and Saturday.

Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information

Huntsville-Sophomore Amanda Barnes and true freshman Kristina Smith made their first appearance in the starting lineup this season Thursday night for the Sam Houston women’s basketball team.

The pair combined for 29 points to help the Bearkats come from 12 points down to within a basket of catching McNeese State.

The Cowgirls held on for a 59-55 victory, but the new offensive punch has women’s head coach Brenda Nicholls excited.

“Amanda and Kristina did a really nice job for us,” Nicholls said. “They have no fear. They both bring a lot to the table for us.”

The Bearkats play host to Nicholls State Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in an important Southland Conference tilt for both squads.

Saturday is Double Dave’s Double Header pizza day.

Double Dave’s is the host for an after the game party following the women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader.

Sam Houston’s defending league co-champions are 0-3 in Southland action.

The Kats started non-conference action with a 5-2 mark but have lost their last seven games.

Nicholls is 2-1 and tied for third place in the early season going in Southland play.

The Colonels stand 7-7 for the year.

Down 34-25 to McNeese at intermission Thursday, the Bearkats looked like they may have found their shooting touch again in the second half.

Sam Houston canned five three-point shots in the closing minutes of the game.

Junior 6-3 post Angela Beadle is averaging 14.8 points for the season and 12.3 points in conference.

Johnson also is scoring in double figures with an 11.6 mean.

Emani White, a 5-4 sophomore guard, is the Colonels’ top offensive threat.

White is scoring 19.0 points a game and has hit 35 treys this year.

Saturday’s women’s game will be broadcast live on KHVL 104.9 the Hits and streamed live on www.gobearkats.com .

Next action for the Bearkat women will be a trip to Southeastern Louisiana and New Orleans next Thursday and Saturday.