HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Jamal Williams was a perfect 7 of 7 from the floor and made all three of his free-throw attempts for 17 points to help Sam Houston State beat Nicholls 87-76 on Monday night.

Jovante' Spivey had 16 points, Albert Almanza added 13 and Dakarai Henderson chipped in 11 for Sam Houston State (10-9, 5-1 Southland), which recovered from its first conference defeat last Saturday.

The Bearkats pulled away late in the first half to go up 42-32 at the break.

Johnathan Bell, who finished with 27 points, nailed two straight 3-pointers as Nicholls closed to 52-47. Jalin Barnes responded with a jump shot to start the Bearkats on a 13-4 run to take a 65-51 lead with 9:35 left and the Colonels never threatened again.

T.J. Carpenter had 18 points and nine rebounds for Nicholls (5-14, 1-4).