Murray, KY (SportsNetwork.com) - Devonta Pollard scored 19 points as the Houston Cougars tipped off their 2014-15 campaign with a 77-74 win over the Murray State Racers at the CFSB Center.

Jherrod Stiggers added 17 points for Houston (1-0), while Cavon Baker netted 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. LeRon Barnes handed out six assists and Eric Weary, Jr. led the Cougars on the glass with eight rebounds.

Cameron Payne paced the Racers (0-1) with 21 points and five assists. Jeffery Moss chipped in 18 points, Justin Seymour had 12 points and Jarvis Williams notched a double-double of 10 points and 11 boards.

Murray State took a 42-38 lead into the intermission after it hit on 41.4 percent of its field goal attempts and converted 14-of-19 at the charity stripe in the first half. The Cougars were limited to 37.8 percent efficiency from the floor before the break.

The Racers cooled off to hit on only 34.3 percent of their field goal tries after halftime. Houston took its first lead of the contest at the 6:10 mark of the second half and managed to stay in front the rest of the way.

Despite the loss, Murray State finished with a 24-12 advantage in points off turnovers.