Box Score

BRIDGEPORT, Conn.—Sam Houston State guard DeMarcus Gatlin hit a game-tying three-pointer at the end of the first overtime and the Bearkats eventually prevailed in triple overtime, 93-85, against South Dakota Friday at Webster Bank Arena.

The contest ended the first of three days of play at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic hosted by Fairfield University. The Coyotes (0-3) return to the court at 4 p.m. (CT) Saturday against Wofford (2-1), a 54-36 winner against Fairfield in game one of Friday's doubleheader.

Gatlin came off the bench to lead Sam Houston State with 18 points on 6 of 9 shooting. In addition to the game-tying three, Gatlin converted a three-point play with 31 seconds left in the third overtime that gave the Bearkats (2-1) a 90-85 lead. He made two free throws with 20 seconds to go that made it 92-85.

Free-throw shooting is what cost the Coyotes. South Dakota missed eight of 14 from the stripe in the second half and missed two free throws with a 74-71 lead and with 8.6 seconds left in the first overtime that would have sealed the win.

Coyote guard Brandon Bos led all scorers with 21 points. Teammate Tyler Larson had career highs of 17 points and 13 rebounds. Tre Burnette added 13 points, 12 rebounds and five steals.

Larson converted two three-point plays in the final minute of regulation that helped South Dakota erase a late five-point deficit. His free throw with 9.5 seconds left tied the game at 65-65.

Bearkat guard Kaheem Ransom missed a layup on the final play of regulation. He also had a chance to win the game on the final possession of the second overtime, but was called for traveling on his way to the hoop. Ransom had two field goals in the third overtime and had nine points on 3 of 14 shooting.

Bos scored on the first possession of the final overtime and tied the game at 83-83 with a pair of free throws with three minutes left. Sam Houston State scored on two of its next three possessions and closed the game on a 10-2 run.