NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Neil Watson scored four of his 16 points in overtime as Southern Mississippi held off Tulane for a 71-66 Conference USA victory and the Golden Eagles’ 11th straight win.
Southern Miss (15-2, 2-0) made 9 of 10 free throws in the extra period. After the Green Wave got to 63-62 with 2:56 left, Watson hit two foul shots and made the only Golden Eagles overtime basket to build a five-point lead.
Southern Miss led by 11 points midway through the second half and still held a 60-53 lead with 3:43 left in regulation before Tulane scored seven straight to tie it.
Maurice Bolden added 15 points for the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss has won six straight in the series and nine of the last 10.
Jordan Callahan scored 17 points to lead the Green Wave (12-4, 0-2), who have lost four of seven since starting the season 9-0.
