Georgia Southern 65, Houston 63

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Trumaine Pearson had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead Georgia Southern past Houston 65-63 on Monday in the 2K Sports Classic.

Willie Powers added 14 points for the Eagles (1-0). They held the Cougars to one basket during the final 10 minutes and came up with three consecutive defensive stops in the last 90 seconds to win the first regular-season game of the season and advance to face host Duke on Tuesday night.

Kelvin Lewis scored 16 points before fouling out with 6:42 remaining and Marcus Cousin had 13 points and 13 rebounds for Houston (0-1).

The Cougars had two chances in the final 50 seconds to force overtime, but DaShaun Williams couldn't handle Aubrey Coleman's pass and turned it over with 41 seconds remaining.

The Eagles worked the clock and Antoine Johnson missed a contested jumper with about 6 seconds left. Williams grabbed the rebound, and Houston called timeout with 4.7 seconds left to set up its final play. Desmond Wade's 3-pointer from about 25 feet out failed to draw iron as time expired.

Coleman and Wade each finished with 10 points, and Wade's deep 3 from the key with 2:40 left was the Cougars' only field goal during the last 10 minutes.

Georgia Southern led 34-29 after a first half in which the Eagles shot nearly 52 percent in the first half and twice led by 11, the last time coming on Pearson's leaner with 4:15 left. Houston used a 12-4 run early in the second half and took its first lead when Wade's free throw with 14:51 left made it 41-40.

The Cougars will play Presbyterian on Tuesday.