.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston Athletics
Houston Overpowers Centenary, 93-82, To Improve To 10-6
1/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2005
HOUSTON - The University of Houston men's basketball team used a 30-9 run in the final nine minutes of the first half to claim an 18-point lead at halftime as the Cougars went on to win their final non-conference game of the season, 93-82, over Centenary at Hofheinz Pavilion Tuesday night.
Houston trailed 20-17 with 9:45 left in the first half after a Tyrone Hamilton three pointer, but the Cougars raced to a 47-29 lead heading into the halftime locker room. Ramon Dyer scored nine points in Houston's decisive run, while Chris Lawson came off the bench and scored seven. Brian Latham and Lanny Smith each added six points.
The Cougars shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and were six of 17 from behind the arc.
In the second half, the Gents shot 68 percent from the field and made all 13 of their free throws as they closed to within 12 points, 85-73, with 3:29 left to play.
"I thought Centenary did a good job of running their plays so that they could stay close in a game on the road," Houston head coach Tom Penders said. "They were able to hang around by hitting open jump shots, and they did a great job at the free throw line."
However Smith made one of his two free throws and scored on a lay-up to extend Houston's lead to 88-73.
The Cougars kept Centenary at bay the rest of the game and went on to win 93-82.
The Cougars finished shooting 45 percent for the game and made nine three pointers. The Gents, however finished shooting 58 percent in the game and were 17 of 25 from the field in the second half.
Houston forced Centenary into 19 turnovers and converted them into 26 points. The Cougars also out-rebounded the Gents 36-31 and held a decisive 21-9 margin on the offensive boards leading to a 22-11 advantage in second chance points.
Smith led Houston on the night with 22 points and five assists, and Andre Owens chipped in 16 points. Dyer scored 11 points and seven rebounds, and Brian Latham had 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Houston improved to 10-6 overall this season, and will return to Conference USA play Saturday night at Hofheinz Pavilion when the Cougars play host to Southern Miss at 7:00 p.m.
