HUNTSVILLE,TX—On Monday evening, the St. Thomas Celts played an exhibition matchup at Johnson Coliseum. The Celts showed early energy but ultimately lost 80-54 to Division I Sam Houston. 

The Celts opened the game with confidence, connecting on their first 2 three-pointers and jumping out to a quick lead.  Gavin Davis led the charge with a team-high 16 points, including 3 triples, and added 7 rebounds. However, after the hot start, the Celts struggled to maintain their shooting rhythm, going on a cold stretch as Sam Houston seized momentum. 

Marion Williams added 5 points and 4 rebounds, while Danny Canul provided a spark off the bench with 10 points on an efficient 3-of-5 shooting, including two three-pointers. Despite battling on the boards and forcing turnovers, St. Thomas couldn't match the Bearkats' size and shooting efficiency. 

The Celts showed resilience in the second half, improving their field goal percentage to 33%, but Sam Houston's 22-0 first-half run proved the difference. 

Up Next 
St. Thomas will regroup and return to action on December 20th, traveling to  Longview, TX to compete at LeTourneau University for a matchup against Pacific Lutheran. Tipoff is set for 3 PM. Stay updated on all things UST basketball by following @ustmbasketball on Instagram or visiting ustcelts.com.