HOUSTON (AP) — Maurice McNeil’s layup with three seconds remaining in overtime enabled Houston to escape with a 63-62 victory against Nicholls State on Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Adam Brown had 20 points while McNeil and Kirk Van Slyke added 12 each for the Cougars, who made James Dickey a winner in his coaching debut with the school. The former Texas Tech coach replaced Tom Penders, who resigned after last season despite leading Houston on a surprise late run to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 18 years.
Fred Hunter had 28 points and Anatoly Bose added 22 for the Colonels, who gave the Cougars one last possession when Bryan Hammond turned the ball over after rebounding a Houston miss with eight seconds to play. After McNeil’s layup, Bose missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
McNeil had 13 rebounds, Van Slyke 10.
