HOUSTON (Interstat) — A dominant first-half defensive performance and a career-high scoring outburst from guard Kashie Natt propelled Sam Houston to an 82-70 victory over Texas Southern in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Health & P.E. Arena.

The visiting Bearkats (6-3) seized control early, holding the Tigers (1-6) to just 29 points on 29.4% shooting in the opening period while building a 43-29 halftime lead. Sam Houston’s pressure defense forced nine first-half turnovers, converting them into 12 points, and limited Texas Southern’s opportunities in transition.

The most important part of the game was Sam Houston’s initial surge, which established a margin Texas Southern could never overcome. After Texas Southern’s Troy Hupstead opened the scoring with a tip-in, Sam Houston’s Kashie Natt ignited a 13-3 run. Natt, a 6-foot-3 guard from Rayville, Louisiana, scored eight of those points, including two three-pointers and a turnaround jumper. The Bearkats never trailed again, stretching their lead to as many as 18 points in the first half as the Tigers struggled to find any offensive rhythm against a swarming defense.

Natt finished with a game-high 22 points in just 21 minutes, adding three steals and a block. His performance surpassed his previous season high of 26 points set just over a week ago. He was supported by Po’Boigh King, who added 13 points, and Jacob Walker and Isaiah Manning, who each chipped in 10 points. Manning also contributed three assists and two steals.

Texas Southern showed more life after halftime, outscoring Sam Houston 41-39 in the second period behind 18 points from Hupstead and 16 from Duane Posey. The Tigers trimmed the deficit to single digits on several occasions, but each time Sam Houston had an answer, often generated by its defense leading to easy baskets. The Bearkats finished with a 31-11 advantage in fastbreak points and an 18-10 edge in points off turnovers.

Guard Bryce Roberts led Texas Southern with 14 points and four assists, while Zaire Hayes added nine points.

Despite the improved second-half shooting, Texas Southern finished the game just 22 of 66 from the field, a 33.3% clip, and 5 of 24 from three-point range. Sam Houston was not much more efficient, shooting 42.9% overall, but attempted 23 more free throws, making 23, and capitalized on its defensive efforts.

Sam Houston’s defense was the story, holding Texas Southern to an offensive rating of 83.0 points per 100 possessions while committing 15 turnovers. The Bearkats also dominated inside, outscoring the Tigers 42-30 in the paint.

The win was the second straight for Sam Houston following a road loss at Oklahoma State. Texas Southern has now lost six of its first seven games, with its lone win coming against Biblical Studies.

Sam Houston travels to face Oregon State on Dec. 17. Texas Southern continues a difficult nonconference slate at Minnesota on Dec. 14.

The game drew an announced crowd of 567. Sam Houston covered the pregame spread as a six-point favorite. The total points scored, 152, fell under the posted over/under of 159.5.