Sports Update For March 4

BEARKATS HOME FOR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME

The Bearkats earned their second consecutive first round home berth in 2001 by finishing as the number four seed in the tournament. Texas-Arlington is the number five seed.

Winners of the four first round games advance to the semifinals of the Classic to be held Friday at 6 and 8 p.m. in the CenturyTel Center in Bossier City, LA. The finals of the Classic will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, and will be televised by ESPN2. The tournament champion earns the SLC's NCAA post-season automatic berth.

Tickets to Tuesday's first round game are $7 for adult general admission and $5 for college and high school students. Because this is a post-season playoff game, not a regular season event, there will be no free admissions for SHSU faculty-staff or students.

The Sam Houston State men's team completed the Southland Conference tournament seeding process with a 15-12 overall regular season record and an 11-9 record in SLC action. The Bearkats fell to Lamar 97-94 in overtime at Beaumont Saturday.

FOUR NAMED ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

Wall and Abakwue both were first team selections while Burkhalter and Allen were third team honorees.

Wall led the Bearkats in scoring (18.0) and steals (3.7) and was second on the team in rebounds (6.3) and assists (3.2) this year. He ranked among the top ten in the SLC in all four statistics and was a two-time SLC Player of the Week honoree.

Abakwue led the Southland Conference in rebounds (11.0) and blocked shots (44) and ranked second on the team in scoring (16.4) this year for the SHSU women.

Burkhalter was the men's second leading scorer this season with 14.4 points per game. Allen ranked as the second leading scorer in the Southland Conference with 16.8 points per game.

FOWLER NAMED 'PITCHER OF THE WEEK'

Fowler struck out 10 Aggies and allowed only two hits in a nine-inning complete game 2-1 victory over Texas A&M Tuesday, Feb. 20. The senior successfully retired 27 of 31 batters, pitching seven perfect innings.

He also gave up just four hits in four innings of work in a 7-4 Bearkat loss to nationally ranked Notre Dame.

The Bearkats lost their opening Southland Conference baseball game at Southwest Texas by a 13-3 score Sunday. Sam Houston State defeated Texas Southern on the road last week 8-0.

SOFTBALL TEAM HEADS TO LOUISIANA

Last week, the Bearkats split with Louisiana Tech, defeating the Techsters 5-0 in the first game, then falling 2-0 in the nightcap.

TENNIS TEAM WINS SLC OPENER

The match was the first Southland Conference encounter for the women's tennis team. Saturday's match against Southeastern Louisiana was rained out. The Bearkats travel to Texas-Arlington on Tuesday and host a match with Abilene Christian on Friday.

MEREDITH YORK TRACK MEET SCHEDULED FRIDAY

Both the men's and women's track and field teams will be in action in the event which also will feature other top area college teams.

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Media Contact: Paul Ridings
March 4, 2001
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