HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Jabari Peters scored 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including a trio of 3-pointers, to lead Sam Houston State to a 69-60 win over McNeese State on Saturday.

Paul Baxter contributed 14 points, DeMarcus Gatlin added 12 and Michael Holyfield pumped in 11 points to go with his 11 rebounds to help Sam Houston (13-4, 5-0 Southland) to its eighth straight win.

McNeese State (6-9, 0-4) led by two at the break and outshot Sam Houston from the floor, but the Bearkats clinched it with a 23-7 advantage in made free throws.

Gatlin's bucket early in the second half gave Sam Houston the lead for good at 40-38, and the Bearkats pulled away midway through the period with a 10-2 run capped by back-to-back buckets from Baxter that made it 57-46 with 3:40 to go.

Kevin Hardy led the Cowboys with 18 points and Desharick Guidry added 16.