Herd tops Houston

Published 5:42 am Wednesday, February 2, 2011

HOUSTON (AP) — Aundra Williams scored his only points on a layup with 11 seconds to play, lifting Marshall to a 63-62 victory over Houston on Tuesday night.

DeAndre Kane had 24 points to lead the Thundering Herd (15-7, 3-4 C-USA) and Damier Pitts added 14.

Alandise Harris and Maurice McNeil each scored 16 points for the Cougars (11-10, 3-5), who have lost a season-high four straight.

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With Marshall down one and 18 seconds to play, Kane drove to the basket but had his shot blocked by Harris. Houston saved the ball from going out of bounds but threw it to a waiting Williams, who was standing on the right block.

The 6-foot-10 center then turned and banked in a shot over the outstretched hands the Cougars’ defense to give the Herd their first win in four trips to Houston.

The game included 11 ties, 13 lead changes and neither team led by more than seven.

MARSHALL (15-7)

Baines 5-8 0-0 10, Spikes 2-2 2-4 6, Pitts 4-13 5-7 14, Johnson 3-4 0-2 7, Kane 10-17 3-5 24, Pena 0-4 0-0 0, Allen 0-1 0-0 0, Williams 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 25-50 10-18 63.

HOUSTON (11-10)

McNeil 6-9 4-6 16, Harris 2-8 12-20 16, Nixon 2-5 1-1 5, Thibodeaux 2-4 0-0 5, Brown 4-8 0-0 9, McLean 0-1 0-0 0, Haywood 1-3 0-0 3, Van Slyke 2-3 0-0 4, Washington 1-3 2-4 4. Totals 20-44 19-31 62.

Halftime—Marshall 35-33. 3-Point Goals—Marshall 3-13 (Johnson 1-1, Kane 1-3, Pitts 1-6, Pena 0-3), Houston 3-11 (Thibodeaux 1-2, Haywood 1-2, Brown 1-3, Van Slyke 0-1, Nixon 0-3). Fouled Out—Baines, Spikes. Rebounds—Marshall 28 (Kane 9), Houston 28 (McNeil 9). Assists—Marshall 12 (Pitts 4), Houston 12 (Nixon 7). Total Fouls—Marshall 21, Houston 18. A—3,021.