Reno, NV -- (Sports Network) - A free-throw by Marcus Cousin with 26.5 seconds remaining lifted the Houston Cougars to an 80-79 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack in first-round action of the inaugural CBI Tournament at the Lawlor Events Center.

Robert McKiver scored 22 points in the win for Houston (23-9), while Dion Dowell tallied 19 points to go with 14 rebounds. Kelvin Lewis added 13 points for the Cougars.

Marcelus Kemp posted a game-high 24 points and collected six rebounds to pace Nevada (21-12), while Armon Johnson netted 16 points in the losing effort. Brandon Fields contributed 15 points for the Wolf Pack, while JaVale McGee and Malik Cooke chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Cougars shot 48.1 percent from the field, including 10-of-18 from beyond the arc, during the first period of play to open a 43-36 halftime lead.

The Wolf Pack held the Cougars to a 29.4 percent shooting clip during the second stanza, but Houston converted 13-of-16 from the charity stripe to keep the contest close and ultimately earn the one-point win.

Houston advances to the quarterfinals, and will face the winner of Valparaiso/Washington.