Cancun, Mexico - Sam Houston State went 5-for-5 from the free throw line in the game's final 51 seconds to hold off Oral Roberts, 71-65 at the Cancun Challenge Tuesday in Cancun, Mexico.

Down by eight points in the first half, Oral Roberts rallied to take the lead in the second half. But, the Bearkats didn't fold. They scored eleven straight points to regain the advantage and never trailed again.

SHSU (3-2) jumped out to a quick 12-4 lead before the Golden Eagles (2-3) cut the lead to a single point on a layup by Warren Niles with just over four minutes to play in the first half.

ORU trailed by four, 34-30 at the break.

The Bearkats increased the lead to eight again early in the second half. But, Oral Roberts put together a 15-to-2 run to take their largest lead, 47-42 on a layup by Ken Holdman with 11:14 left in the game.

It was 51-48 when the Bearkats turned the tide, hitting four of their next five field goals over a span of three minutes to lead, 59-51 with 6:25 left.

Kevin Ford twice cut the lead to one with under a minute to play, but each time, Sam Houston State hit their free throws. A three-point play by Preston Brown with 25 seconds left pushed the lead to four points and ORU couldn't recover.

Michael Craion led ORU with 14 points and ten rebounds. Ford and Niles each added a dozen and Dominique Morrison scored 11.

Corey Allmond led Sam Houston State with 17 points and Ashton Mitchell scored 16.

Oral Roberts will stay in Cancun and will play Florida A and M Wednesday.

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