Jan. 20, 2005

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - - Sam Houston State forward Joe Thompson scored 21 of his season-high 34 points in the first half and ignited a 22-3 run over a 7:57 stretch as the Bearkats built a 20-point first-half lead en route to a 77-54 win over Texas-Arlington in Southland Conference men's basketball action Thursday night at Johnson Coliseum here.

Sam Houston (9-7, 3-1) won the fourth time in five games and improved to 7-0 at home this season. UTA falls to 7-8 and 2-3.

Thompson made seven of eight field goals, including five three-pointers, to begin the game and scored 16 points in the first 12 minutes of the game as Sam Houston took control early over the turnover-plagued Mavs. UTA, who finished with a season-high tying 29 turnovers, committed 11 errors in the first 9:30 of the game and never could get within 15 points in the second half.

For the game, Sam Houston made 12 of 25 three-point attempts, including 5-of-8 by Thompson.

Freshman guard Rodrick Epps knocked down six three-pointers for a team-high 18 points. SLC Player of the Week Steven Thomas had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Aaron Wade was the only other Bearkat in double figures with 11.

NOTES: The six three-pointers by Epps tied for the fifth most in a single game at UTA... UTA committed 20 or more turnovers for the fourth straight game... Head coach Eddie McCarter needs one win to move into second place on the Southland Conference wins list.... Thomas recorded his seventh double-double of the season and inched closer to the top 25 in career scoring with 820 career points. He needs just 64 points to break into the top 25 all-time at UTA... Epps notched his third double figure scoring game of his career.

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