HOUSTON (Interstat) — In a Southland Conference men’s basketball game defined by offensive efficiency and a frantic final sequence, Houston Christian edged Northwestern State 82-80 on Monday night at Sharp Gymnasium.

The Huskies, who never trailed in the second half, secured the victory when guard Kylin Green drove for a layup while being fouled with nine seconds remaining, converting the free throw to break an 80-80 tie. The Demons’ final attempt, a jump shot from Chris Mubiru as time expired, missed its mark.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final half-minute. With the score tied at 80, Northwestern State’s Micah Thomas missed a potential go-ahead jumper. Houston Christian secured the rebound and called timeout with 24 seconds left. Out of the stoppage, Green took the inbounds pass, worked against his defender, and finished a decisive drive to the basket for the and-one opportunity, silencing the visiting contingent.

Both teams showcased remarkable offensive execution throughout the contest. Houston Christian finished shooting 60% from the field, including a blistering 12 for 20 from three-point range. Northwestern State was nearly as potent, shooting 56.3% overall. The Huskies scored 82 points on just 53 possessions for an offensive rating of 153.4, while the Demons posted an offensive rating of 144.4 with 80 points on 55 trips.

Northwestern State held a narrow 44-41 lead at halftime, but Houston Christian opened the second period with a quick 7-0 burst to regain control. The Demons stayed within striking distance, largely through the interior work of Willie Williams and the scoring of Thomas, but could never overtake the Huskies, who answered nearly every Northwestern State push with a timely three-pointer.

Green led all players with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists for Houston Christian, orchestrating the offense with precision. Demari Williams added 16 points, and Ryan Bartley contributed 12. The Huskies improved to 7-12 overall.

For Northwestern State, now 6-13, Thomas led the way with 17 points and four assists. Willie Williams, a Houston native, scored 15 points, and Justin Redmond added 13. The Demons won the battle in the paint, 32-24, and committed only five turnovers, but were ultimately undone by Houston Christian’s superior three-point shooting and the final defensive stand.

The game was a departure from pregame projections, which favored Northwestern State by a slight margin according to analytical models, though betting markets had installed Houston Christian as a 2.5-point favorite. The combined score of 162 points sailed over the posted over/under of 141.5, reflecting the night’s offensive onslaught.

An announced crowd of 985 watched the conference matchup. Houston Christian will host Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, while Northwestern State returns home to face Texas A&M-Commerce the same day. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on Feb. 21.