LORMAN, MS -- Ryan Bright scored 29 points, including two field goals and a pair of free throws in the final three minutes to hold off a late surge by the Braves as Sam Houston State won 81-78 over Alcorn State Saturday at the Whitney Center.

Aaron Wade added 17 points, five coming on three-point baskets. Reggie Rawlins scored 14 as Sam Houston State upped its season mark to 5-3. Alcorn dropped to 0-8 for the year.

Delvin Thompson scored 21 points to lead Alcorn State. Juan Wyatt added 15 points, 12 in the second half.

In what has become a familiar scenario for the Bearkats, Sam Houston jumped in front early in the first half but struggled down the stretch in the second period. The Kats led by as many as 16 points in the first half and were up by 11 at halftime. But Alcorn State cut the margin to one point, 71-70, with six minutes to play, and were within two points of Sam Houston three times in the final two minutes.

Sam Houston came out with a hot hand from beyond the arc, hitting eight three point baskets in the first 10 minutes of action. Aaron Wade had four of the early three-pointers the Bearkats built a 32-19 lead with 10:01 left in the first half.

Domas Kvedys hit a pair of free throws to give Sam Houston its largest lead of the first half, 41-25, 4:35 before intermission. Alcorn State came no closer than nine points as SHSU closed the first half with a 50-39 lead.

Sam Houston led 64-53 with 11:55 to play in the second half after a Jeremy Thomas three point basket. The Braves went on a 17-7 run in the next six minutes to cut the margin to one point, 71-70, on a Patrick Horton three point shot.

Reggie Rawlins and Delvin Thompson traded baskets to make the score 73-72 before Bright put SHSU up by four with a free throw and a field goal. The Braves cut the margin to two twice more, at 76-74 and 78-76.

Jeremy Thomas picked up a loose ball and passed underneath to Bright for a layup with 1:59 to play to put the Bearkats by four again, 80-76. Juan Wyatt's jumper with 39 seconds left put the Braves back within two for the third time in the final three minutes 80-78.

A Horton steal gave the Braves a chance to tie but Bright stole back the
ball under the basket and was fouled with 10 seconds to play.Bright hit the second free throw to give Sam Houston a three point lead, 81-78.

Clifton Douglas missed a three point attempt and Bright got the rebound with two seconds remaining.

Sam Houston State will play host to Loyola-Marymount Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum in the Bearkats' next action.