CANCUN, MEXICO – Led by the backcourt duo of Corey Allmond and Ashton Mitchell who combined for 33 points, Sam Houston State out-scored Oral Roberts 29-18 in the final 11 minutes to lead the Bearkats to a 71-65 victory in the Cancun Challenge at the Moon Palace Resort.

The victory lifts Sam Houston to 3-2 for the year and comes over an ORU squad that defeated Stanford in Palo Alto, CA last Wednesday.

Oral Roberts held a five-point lead, 47-42 with 11:14 to play. A lay-up by Trevon Charles started a 17-4 run for the Kats as Sam Houston went ahead 59-51 on a jumper by Antuan Bootle.

The Golden Eagles cut the margin to one point, 66-65 after a basket by Kevin Ford in the paint. The Bearkats secured the victory as Preston Brown picked up a three-point play on a lay-up and free throw with 25 seconds left. After a missed three point shot, Lance Pevehouse completed the contest with two free throws with seven seconds left.

Allmond scored 17 points and Mitchell tallied 16 to lead Sam Houston. Oral Roberts, now 2-3 for the year, was led by Michael Craion with 14 points.

A key to the game was Sam Houston forcing ORU into 17 turnovers while committing only 10 miscues. The Bearkats scored 21 points off of Golden Eagle turnovers.

Sam Houston shot 28-of-56 from the floor (50 percent) but were only 1-of-12 from three point range. The Kats also capitalized on 14-of-18 free throws.

Josten Crow, Gilberto Clavell, Charles and Brown each scored six points for Sam Houston. ORU had three other players in double figures with Ford and Warren Niles each scoring 12 points and Dominique Morrison totaling 11.

Sam Houston State now will face Rider in the 3:30 p.m. contest Wednesday at the Moon Palace Resort. Rider defeated Florida State 88-73 Tuesday.

Following the Cancan Challenge, the Bearkats return home Monday, Nov. 30 for a 7:30 p.m. contest at Johnson Coliseum.