
Tyrel Hunt pulled the visitors to within one at 53-52 with 4:47 remaining, but the Bobcats held ASU to one field goal and three points the rest of the way.
“We did a lot of decent things tonight, but at times (that) was completely overshadowed by bad decision making,” first-year head coach Saul Phillips said. “It sure feels better (though) to talk about this after a win than a loss.”
Alcorn State struggled to 19-of-57 (33.3%) from the floor and 3-of-12 (25%) from distance. The Braves netted 14-of-16 (87.5%) at the line.
Leantwan Luckett led ASU with 15 points, while Vance (12) and Tyrel Hunt (10) also reached double figures.
Ndour netted 8-of-15 from the field and 2-of-5 on threes, with two free throws on the way to 20 points to lead Ohio. Antonio Campbell chipped in a dozen and Steve Taylor added 10 markers.
Ohio (3-3) returns to action Thursday at Evansville (9:05 p.m. ET). The Bobcats follow that with three games in Hawaii (Dec. 22-25).
“Don't overlook Evansville, because when we played them last year, they were no joke,” Taylor said. “We can't look forward to Hawaii if we catch an `L' before we even get in Hawaii."
Alcorn State scored the game’s first basket, but trailed until taking the lead at 17-16 on a pair of free throws by Marquis Vance at 7:01. Khari Harley responded with a three and Ndour scored on a layup to move the hosts back out in front.
Ohio’s biggest lead of the first stanza was six points at 24-18. The Braves fought back and grabbed a 29-27 lead on Marquis Vance’s triple with 1:09 remaining. Harley’s three-pointer at the halftime buzzer gave Ohio its 30-29 lead at the break.