GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Houston guard Lanny Smith made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 19 seconds to preserve a 76-72 win over East Carolina in a Conference USA game Saturday.
In his final game at ECU, senior Moussa Badiane scored a game-high 22 points. Sophomore Mike Cook and freshman Tom Hammonds each scored 16 points for the Pirates.
The game also marked the final home game for ECU head coach Bill Herrion, who was asked last week to step down at the end of the season
Four players scored double figures for Houston (18-10, 9-5) led by Cedrick Hensley. who came off the bench to score 20 points. Smith had 18 points, Andre Owens had 17 and Chris Lawson had 11.
East Carolina (9-18, 4-11) trailed by 18, 67-49, with 8:41 remaining, but went on a 22-6 run over the next eight minutes to cut its deficit to two, 73-71, with 42 seconds left.
Badiane converted one of two free throws with 27.5 seconds left to get the Pirates within a point before Smith went to the foul line.
