Second half mistakes cost Bearkats game against Bears, 48-23

The Sam Houston State Bearkats lost control of an early 20-10 lead due to late game interceptions by the Baylor defense in Saturday's 48-23 loss in Waco.

The Bearkats led the Bears for three quarters before three fourth quarter interceptions for a total of 114-yards allowed Baylor's offense to make their attack against SHSU's defense.

After two field goals from SHSU kicker Miguel Antonio, the Bearkats led 6-3 early in the second quarter. The Bear’s answered quickly with a 22-yard pass for the first touchdown of the game.  Bearkat quarterback Brian Bell took control of the offense with two unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter: a one yard touchdown rush, as well as a 26-yard touchdown passes to running back Tim Flanders.

The first half concluded with a Bearkat interception from senior defensive back Dax Swanson who ran down the clock with the Baylor turnover.

Although the Bearkats ended the first half with strong momentum, the third quarter began with a quick three-and-out for negative yards which set the tone for second half.

According to SHSU's Head Coach Willie Fritz, the Bearkat's had missed opportunities offensively in the second half that resulted in turnovers and allowed Baylor to come out victorious.

"When you play a team of this quality you got to take advantage of opportunities and we didn't do that," Fritz said. "We had the advantage. We had just a bad first minute [in the second half]."

Bell passed for total of 285-yards against Baylor with 51 percent of completed passes.  Of Bell’s 285 passing yards, 270 of the yards came in the first half.

"We got to finish," said. "I was busting my reads. [Doug Ruse] put me in great situations and I just wasn't converting."

The Bears scored 35 points compared to SHSU’s three points in the second half. Baylor secured the win with an interception by Darius Jones who ran 73-yards back for a touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game.

The Bearkats will travel to Conway, Ark. to face the University of Central Arkansas Saturday Sep. 22 at 3 p.m.  This will be the Bearkats’ first inter-conference game of the 2012 season.

Tickets for the game are available at www.gobearkats.com.