CONWAY, Ark. _ The Sam Houston State Bearkats used a 15-1 run late in the second half and then held off the University of Central Arkansas Bears 80-75 in Southland Conference action at the Farris Center.

UCA’s 57-55 lead with 6:24 to play turned into a 70-58 SHSU advantage heading into the final two minutes. The Bears (9-15, 4-10) fought back and cut the deficit to five points twice in the final minute but could not get closer.

The Bearkats (14-11, 7-6)  made 6 of 8 from the free-throw line in the final minute to seal the win. For the game, SHSU was 30 of 45 (66.7 percent) from the line, while UCA made 24 of 36 (66.7). UCA was whistled for 34 fouls with LaQuentin Miles and Jordan Harks fouling out. SHSU committed 25 fouls and lost Marquel McKinney and Paul Baxter to fouls.

“They played really good defense in the first half and didn’t let us get many open looks,’ said UCA head coach Corliss Williamson. “In the second half, Robert (Crawford) was able to shake loose some and hit some three-point shots. That’s one of the reasons why we were able to make that run to take the lead.

“As a coach, you’re watching that score and we could just never extend that lead. Every time we’d get a two- or three-point lead, something would happen on the other end, a foul was called or a breakdown on defense. We had them missing shots at that point but we couldn’t take advantage of it and score ourselves.’

The Bears were up 23-22 with 5:24 left in the first half after Miles made a jumper. But the Bearkats outscored the Bears 13-4 to end the half with a 35-27 lead. UCA shot just 28 percent from the field in the half and was 0 for 6 from three-point range.

UCA, the No. 2 three-point shooting team in the SLC, made just 3 of 21 for the game, with senior Robert Crawford making all three. Crawford led the Bears with 21 points, going 8 for 9 from the free-throw line. Miles added 19 points and Jarvis Garner 15.

“When you’re on your home court, you expect to make more shots than that, especially from the three-point line,’ said Williamson. “It’s where you shoot every day in practice. But you also have to give Sam Houston credit. They do a good job of getting up on our shooters and closing out and contesting shots.’

For the Bearkats, James Thomas had a game-high 26 points, with 12 of those coming at the free-throw line on 18 attempts. Will Bond added 15 points and Darius Gatson had 13.

UCA travels to Tulsa on Tuesday for its first meeting of the season with Oral Roberts. Game time is 7:30 p.m.