BOISE, Idaho (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth affair decided at the free-throw line, Sam Houston edged Idaho State 84-81 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Wednesday at CenturyLink Arena.

The Bearkats, who led for the majority of the contest, saw a late surge from the Bengals nearly erase their advantage before securing the victory in the final second.

Sam Houston built its lead with a dominant first-half performance, heading into the break up 38-34. The Bearkats extended their lead to as many as nine points in the second half, but Idaho State mounted a relentless comeback, chipping away at the deficit with a series of clutch baskets and free throws.

The game’s final minute was a frantic sequence of fouls and pressure free throws. With just over two seconds remaining and Sam Houston clinging to a one-point lead, Idaho State’s Connor Hollenbeck sank a deep 3-pointer to put the Bengals ahead 81-80, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

On the ensuing possession, Sam Houston’s Justin Begg was fouled on a desperate inbound play with one second left on the clock. Begg, a guard from Houston, Texas, calmly sank both free throws to reclaim the lead for the Bearkats.

Idaho State’s last-ditch full-court heave was unsuccessful, sealing the hard-fought victory for Sam Houston.

The Bearkats were propelled by a stellar performance from Kashie Natt. The junior guard from Rayville, Louisiana, scored a game-high 26 points, consistently attacking the basket and drawing fouls. He was instrumental in Sam Houston’s offensive efficiency, which was a key factor in the win.

Sam Houston shot 45 percent from the floor and capitalized on their opportunities at the charity stripe, making 22 of 28 attempts. More significantly, they won the possession battle, committing only 12 turnovers compared to Idaho State’s 16. This ball security allowed the Bearkats to attempt 14 more field goals than the Bengals, a crucial disparity in a tight game.

Defensively, Sam Houston was disruptive, recording 13 steals and converting Idaho State’s mistakes into 18 points off turnovers. They also controlled the glass on the offensive end, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds which led to 16 second-chance points.

For Idaho State, the loss was a tale of missed opportunities despite a valiant effort. The Bengals were efficient from the field, shooting 45.7 percent, and were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, making 32 of 41 attempts. However, their inability to secure the basketball and their disadvantage on the offensive boards proved costly.

Martin Kheil, a junior from Jindrichuv Hradec, Czechia, led the Bengals with 18 points, showcasing his range from beyond the arc. He was supported by Lachlan Brewer of Launceston, Australia, who added 17 points, and Connor Hollenbeck of Rapid City, South Dakota, who chipped in 11 points, including the late go-ahead three.

Jamison Guerra, the Bengals’ floor general from Sherwood, Oregon, facilitated the offense with six assists but was hampered by turnovers.

For Sam Houston, Begg provided a strong all-around game to complement Natt, finishing with 16 points and five assists. Po’Boigh King of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, added 12 points, and Jacobe Coleman of Fort Smith, Arkansas, contributed nine points off the bench in just 13 minutes of play.

With the win, Sam Houston improves its season record to 4-2, while Idaho State falls to 3-4. The game was part of a multi-team event held in Boise. Sam Houston is next scheduled to play Idaho on Friday, also at CenturyLink Arena, while Idaho State will face Cal State Northridge at the same venue.