Bench powers Sam Houston St past Central Arkansas, 105-75

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) Dakarai Henderson came off the Sam Houston State bench to score 18 points as the BearKats routed Central Arkansas, 105-75, to pull into a third place tie with Houston Baptist in the Southland Conference standings Saturday.

The top two finishers receive a bye into the conference tournament semifinals. The third-and fourth-place finishers earn a first-round tournament bye. The Bearkats have four games remaining and three of the four will be played at home.

The Bearkats (15-12, 10-4 Southland Conference), winners of three straight, outscored Central Arkansas (6-17, 5-8) by 15 points in each half of the romp.

Sam Houston State shot 36 of 65 from the field, including 16 of 33 from beyond the arc (48.5 percent). The Bearkats got 74 of their 105 points from their bench. Jalen Barnes scored 16 points off the Sam Houston State bench.

Jordan Howard scored 19 points to help pace Central Arkansas.