KATY, Texas -- Kaheem Ransom scored 15 points as third-seeded Sam Houston State made its free throws down the stretch to beat No. 2 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 69-63 in a semifinal in the Southland Conference tournament on Friday.

Sam Houston State (23-9) will face top-seed Stephen F. Austin in the final on Saturday.

The Bearkats used a 12-0 run midway through the first half, including Will Bond's 3-pointer, to take a 39-29 lead into the break.

Texas A&M-CC (17-15) cut its deficit to five with 8:06 left in the game after a 9-0 run -- with seven of those points coming at the foul line -- but got no closer. The Islanders were forced to foul late to try to get within reach, but Sam Houston hit 13 of 16 free throws down the stretch -- including 11 straight -- to protect its lead.

Hameed Ali led the Islanders with 12 points.