Men's Bracket Championship Game

No. 1 Sam Houston State 64

No. 2 Stephen F. Austin 48

Saturday, March 13, 3:05 p.m.

Postgame Quotes

Sam Houston State Head Coach Bob Marlin
Opening Statement - "I am proud of our guys. They came out and played with a lot of energy. We were able to get a lead and our defense really picked it up in the first half and we continued that against a very good offensive team. Second half we didn't shoot the ball as well. But Corey did hit one big three and we were able to get the ball under the basket and keep the lead in double digits the entire game which I thought was important."

Sam Houston State senior guard Ashton Mitchell (Tournament MVP)
On winning the Southland Tournament title - "It was a relief to finally win it. It's what we've been working for all year and of course it's what I've been working for four years. I'm just glad we finally got the job done."

Sam Houston State junior forward Gilberto Clavell (All-Tournament Team)
On making NCAA Tournament - "It's been a dream come true. If it wasn't for Corey and Ashton telling me on my recruiting visit Sam Houston needed a big man and they really needed me I might not be here. But I'm really glad to be here. It's the biggest win of my life."

Stephen F. Austin Head Coach Danny Kaspar
Opening Statement - "I thought Sam Houston played particularly well, especially in the first half. We talked about them delivering an early knockout punch and they were successful in doing that. Our shooting tonight from the perimeter was not very good. We were 8-of-33 and I think that tells the story. When you play a team like Sam Houston State it makes it almost impossible to win."

On offensive output today - "We were not as focused as we should have been and I'm going to give some of that credit to Sam Houston's defense and some to our inexperience."

Stephen F. Austin junior guard Eddie Williams (All-Tournament Team)
On losing today - "Sam Houston came out today and looked like they couldn't miss. I guess that's just the way the ball swings sometimes. I'm a little disappointed, but as I look back to the first game of the season when we lost by 40 points. If you had told me then we had been playing in the title game I wouldn't have believed you. But I'm proud of my team and I'm happy that we came this far considering the odds that were against us."