HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Denijay Harris delivered an impressive performance, scoring 29 points as Southern Miss triumphed over Marshall 68-66 during their Sun Belt Conference opener on Saturday.

Harris also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds, helping his team improve to a 5-7 season record. Meanwhile, Christian Watson contributed 10 points for the Golden Eagles, though he struggled with his shooting, hitting 4 of 12 attempts overall, which included just one successful 3-pointer out of five tries. Watson also managed to grab five rebounds during the game.

With just 16 seconds left on the clock, Harris made one of two free throws to give Southern Miss a narrow 68-66 advantage. The game was ultimately secured when Watson made a crucial steal with only four seconds remaining.

On the other side, Obinna Anochili-Killen was the standout player for the Thundering Herd, finishing the game with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. His teammates Mikal Dawson and Dezayne Mingo chipped in as well, scoring 14 points each, with Dawson also recording six rebounds.

This thrilling matchup set the tone for both teams as they dive deeper into their conference schedules, showcasing the competitiveness of the Sun Belt Conference.