Sam Houston Bearkats at LSU Tigers
· NCAA Men's Basketball
Smart leads LSU past Sam Houston State without coach Wade
Hours before the game, LSU announced Wade would not be available because of contact tracing issues. Wade said during a Zoom press conference after the game that he tested positive while in quarantine last week.
Associate head coach Bill Armstrong led the Tigers — without assistant coaches Tasmin Mitchell and Kevin Nickelberry. LSU was also without Trendon Watford, averaging 18.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, and Shareef O’Neal.
Freshman Cameron Thomas scored 19 points and Darius Days had 16 points and 10 rebounds for LSU (4-1). The Tigers were 32 of 68 from the floor, snapping a four-game streak of shooting at least 50%.
LSU led 50-42 before making a 3-pointer on three possessions — with two from Thomas and another by Smart — for a 14-point advantage.
Demarkus Lampley scored 16 points and Zach Nutall added 13 for San Houston State (3-4). Nutall, who entered averaging 25.5 points per game, was held to 3-of 12 shooting. The Bearkats had scored at least 100 points in their last three games — against Dallas Christian, Howard Payne and Le Tourneau.
How can I watch Sam Houston vs. LSU?
Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 66 - 88 |
| 2nd 0:00 | End of 2nd half | 66 - 88 |
| 2nd 0:26 | Charles Manning Jr. Steal. | 66 - 88 |
| 2nd 0:26 | Bryce Monroe Turnover. | 66 - 88 |
| 2nd 0:39 | Cameron Thomas made Jumper. Assisted by Jalen Cook. | 66 - 88 |
Statistics
 SHSU |
 LSU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 23-63 | FG | 33-68 |
| 37 | Field Goal % | 49 |
| 8-32 | 3PT | 8-24 |
| 25 | Three Point % | 33 |
| 12-15 | FT | 14-18 |
| 80 | Free Throw % | 78 |
| 33 | Rebounds | 47 |
| 10 | Offensive Rebounds | 15 |
| 23 | Defensive Rebounds | 32 |
| 13 | Assists | 14 |
| 4 | Steals | 12 |
| 0 | Blocks | 1 |
| 20 | Turnovers | 17 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 20 | Total Turnovers | 17 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 11 | Points Off Turnovers | 26 |
| 9 | Fast Break Points | 14 |
| 22 | Points in Paint | 32 |
| 19 | Fouls | 17 |
| 0 | Largest Lead | 22 |
Game Information
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Attendance: 55 | Capacity:
2025-26 Conference USA Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 17-3 | - | 26-8 |
| Sam Houston | 13-7 | 4 | 22-12 |
| Louisiana Tech | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Western Kentucky | 11-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11-9 | 6 | 17-15 |
| Kennesaw State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-14 |
| Jacksonville State | 10-10 | 7 | 15-17 |
| New Mexico State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-16 |
| Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 16-18 |
| Florida International | 8-12 | 9 | 15-17 |
| UTEP | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
| Delaware | 6-14 | 11 | 10-21 |
2025-26 Southeastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 16-2 | - | 27-8 |
| Arkansas | 13-5 | 3 | 28-9 |
| Alabama | 13-5 | 3 | 25-10 |
| Vanderbilt | 11-7 | 5 | 27-9 |
| Tennessee | 11-7 | 5 | 25-12 |
| Texas A&M | 11-7 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Georgia | 10-8 | 6 | 22-11 |
| Kentucky | 10-8 | 6 | 22-14 |
| Missouri | 10-8 | 6 | 20-13 |
| Texas | 9-9 | 7 | 21-15 |
| Auburn | 7-11 | 9 | 22-16 |
| Oklahoma | 7-11 | 9 | 21-16 |
| Mississippi State | 5-13 | 11 | 13-19 |
| Ole Miss | 4-14 | 12 | 15-20 |
| South Carolina | 4-14 | 12 | 13-19 |
| LSU | 3-15 | 13 | 15-17 |