Houston Baptist holds on to beat Incarnate Word 78-77 in OT

Mar 7, 2015, 10:55 pm

HOUSTON -- Tyler Russell drove for a layup with four seconds left in overtime to give Houston Baptist a 78-77 victory over Incarnate Word as the Huskies stopped a six-game losing skid on Saturday night.

Incarnate Word's Traylin Farris hit a jumper for a 77-76 lead with 15 seconds left. Russell answered for the win.

Marcel Smith drilled 6 of 7 from distance for a career-high 22 points to lead Houston Baptist (12-16, 7-11 Southland Conference). Anthony Odunsi had 18 and Ricmonds Vilde added 12.

Houston Baptist streaked to a 42-25 halftime advantage. The Cardinals (18-10, 10-8) chipped away at the lead and had a 15-2 run to trail 49-42 at the 12:48 mark. UIW kept coming and Denzel Livingston, who finished with 21 points, made two late free throws to tie at 66 and send the game into overtime.

The season is over for both teams as neither is eligible for the conference tourney.