Sam Houston Bearkats Edge Missouri State Bears in Thriller
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 5:30 PM ET · Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
Sam Houston Bearkats 86, Missouri State Bears 81, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Missouri State Bears vs Sam Houston Bearkats?
Sam Houston Bearkats beat Missouri State Bears 86-81 at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Missouri State Bears vs Sam Houston Bearkats?
Sam Houston Bearkats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -310 (about 76% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Sam Houston Bearkats defeated the Missouri State Bears 86-81 at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. This victory marks an impressive continuation of the Bearkats' strong performance this season, as they improve their home record to 22-8 and extend their winning streak to five games. The Bearkats have been in formidable form, boasting a 9-1 record in their last ten games, with an average of 82.0 points scored and 73.0 points allowed per game.
The game showcased the Bearkats' offensive prowess, particularly in the second half, where they managed to maintain their lead despite a late surge from the Bears. Sam Houston's recent form has been marked by high-scoring games, including a dominant 100-67 victory over Florida International just a day prior. In contrast, Missouri State has struggled, suffering their sixth consecutive loss, and falling to a 3-7 record in their last ten games, averaging 73.6 points scored and 74.6 points allowed.
At home, the Bearkats have been nearly unbeatable, holding a perfect 7-0 record in their last seven home games, while the Bears have faced difficulties on the road, with a 1-4 record in their last five away games. The previous meeting between these two teams this season ended in a 80-71 victory for Sam Houston, further highlighting their dominance in this matchup.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability for either team, which could have implications for their performance. However, the current form of both teams suggests that the Bearkats were the favorites heading into the game, reflected in the betting lines from DraftKings, which listed Sam Houston as 6.5-point favorites with a moneyline of -310, while Missouri State was at +250.
The conditions in the arena were conducive to a high-scoring affair, and fans witnessed an exciting game filled with momentum shifts. The Bearkats' ability to convert free throws down the stretch, including crucial shots from Jacobe Coleman and Trey Williams Jr., helped secure the win. The scoring plays in the final moments showcased the Bearkats' resilience and composure under pressure, as they managed to fend off the Bears' attempts to close the gap.
Viewers should note the offensive strategies employed by both teams, with the Bearkats focusing on high-percentage shots and free throws, while the Bears attempted to capitalize on fast breaks and perimeter shooting. The game was a testament to the Bearkats' home-court advantage and their ability to perform when it matters most.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SHSU -6.5 | 152.5 o -110 / u -110 | Missouri State Bears +250 · Sam Houston Bearkats -310 |
Leaders
- PointsJacob Walker23Sam Houston Bearkats
- AssistsDamon Nicholas Jr.5Sam Houston Bearkats
- ReboundsDamon Nicholas Jr.9Sam Houston Bearkats
- PointsMichael Osei-Bonsu24Missouri State Bears
- AssistsTrey Williams Jr.11Missouri State Bears
- ReboundsKeith Palek III6Missouri State Bears
Recent form
Sam Houston Bearkats
Last 10: 9-1Streak W482 scored · 73 allowed per game7-0 at home
- W100-67vs Florida International PanthersFeb 27
- W82-78vs Jacksonville State GamecocksFeb 21
- W78-70vs Middle Tennessee Blue RaidersFeb 19
- W83-79at Kennesaw State OwlsFeb 14
- L78-87at Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 7
- W70-66vs UTEP MinersFeb 5
- W83-67vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 1
- W80-71at Missouri State BearsJan 29
- W73-58vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 24
- W93-87vs Kennesaw State OwlsJan 22
Missouri State Bears
Last 10: 3-7Streak L673.6 scored · 74.6 allowed per game2-3 away
- L70-72at Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 27
- L67-70at Florida International PanthersFeb 21
- L87-91vs Kennesaw State OwlsFeb 19
- L67-76vs Delaware Blue HensFeb 14
- L78-79vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsFeb 13
- L76-79at Liberty FlamesFeb 7
- W74-67vs Jacksonville State GamecocksJan 31
- L71-80vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 29
- W62-57at UTEP MinersJan 24
- W84-75at New Mexico State AggiesJan 23
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Missouri State Bears | Sam Houston Bearkats |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-62 | 29-58 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 50 |
| Three-pointers | 6-21 | 6-13 |
| Three-point % | 29 | 46 |
| Free throws | 15-21 | 22-28 |
| Free throw % | 71 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 20 | 24 |
| Assists | 17 | 11 |
| Steals | 5 | 4 |
| Blocks | 3 | 7 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 12 | 13 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 48 | 36 |
| Fouls | 18 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 17 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 1 | 95 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half43-58Matt Dann makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-60Jacob Walker makes 9-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half44-60Keith Palek III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half45-60Keith Palek III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-60Trey Williams Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half47-61Veljko Ilic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half50-61Kobi Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Michael Osei-Bonsu assists)
- 2nd Half50-63Veljko Ilic makes layup (Jacobe Coleman assists)
- 2nd Half50-65Jacobe Coleman makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half51-65Keith Palek III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-65Keith Palek III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-65Keith Palek III makes layup
- 2nd Half54-67Po'Boigh King makes 9-foot jumper
- 2nd Half56-67Michael Osei-Bonsu makes layup (Trey Williams Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half59-67Kobi Williams makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trey Williams Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half59-68Po'Boigh King makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half59-69Po'Boigh King makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half59-71Damon Nicholas Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half62-71Kobi Williams makes 25-foot three point jumper (Trey Williams Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half62-73Veljko Ilic makes layup (Damon Nicholas Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half64-73Michael Osei-Bonsu makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half64-74Po'Boigh King makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-75Po'Boigh King makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-77Matt Dann makes layup
- 2nd Half66-77Trey Williams Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half66-79Jacob Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half69-79Trey Williams Jr. makes 28-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half71-79Michael Osei-Bonsu makes 14-foot jumper (Kobi Williams assists)
- 2nd Half71-81Jacob Walker makes 6-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half73-81Michael Osei-Bonsu makes layup (Trey Williams Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half75-81Michael Osei-Bonsu makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half75-82Jacobe Coleman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-83Jacobe Coleman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-83Trey Williams Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-83Trey Williams Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-84Jacobe Coleman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-85Jacobe Coleman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half79-85Trey Williams Jr. makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half79-86Damon Nicholas Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-86Michael Osei-Bonsu makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Sam Houston Bearkats, below favours Missouri State Bears.
Venue
- Bernard G. Johnson ColiseumHuntsville, TX
- Attendance2502
- OfficialsMike Nance, Hunter Allen, Michael Swoboda
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond