HOUSTON -- Nathaniel Mason scored 22 points, DeMarcus Gatlin added 17 and Sam Houston State earned a 69-57 victory over Houston Baptist on Saturday night.

Mason had six rebounds, hit three 3-pointers and was a perfect 9 for 9 from the free-throw line. Sam Houston State (4-5) was 20 of 28 from the line, but was only 21 of 57 from the field for a 36.8 percent mark.

The Bearkats forced Houston Baptist to turn the ball over 21 times.

Michael Holyfield gave Sam Houston State its biggest lead of the half at 18 when he hit a jumper to make it 54-36 with 7:21 to play. Houston Baptist responded with an 11-3 run capped by Marcus Davis' 3-pointer to cut the lead to 10, making it 57-47 with 3:38 remaining.

Art Bernardi scored 17 points and pulled five rebounds to lead Houston Baptist (3-5) and Davis added 12 points and eight rebounds.