.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston
Rhode Island
Houston Takes Down Rhode Island, 67-41
12/27/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2005
HOUSTON (AP) - Oliver Lafayette scored 18 points and and Brian Latham added 17 points off the bench to lead the University of Houston to a 67-41 victory over Rhode Island Tuesday night in Hofheinz Pavilion.
The Cougars overcame a sluggish start on the offensive end with a dominant defensive effort in the first half. Houston had eight of its 14 steals in the first half and held the Rams to just 15 first half points. On the offensive end, the Cougars missed their first 12 three-point shots, but scored 14 points off of Rhode Island's 12 turnovers to take a 28-15 halftime lead.
The Cougars (6-3) scored 32 points off 26 Rhode Island turnovers and never trailed, leading by as many as 33. Rhode Island guard Dawan Robinson had 12 turnovers.
Rhode Island (6-4) didn't have a scorer in double figures and shot 37 percent for the game, including 27 percent (6-of-22) in the first half. The Rams were led by Will Daniels and Jamaal Wise with eight points each.
Brian Latham scored 17 off the bench for Houston, and Sergio de Randamie had a career-high 10 rebounds and four blocks.
The Cougars made 16 of 18 free throws to offset their 37 percent shooting.
Lanny Smith didn't score for Houston, but he had eight assists and matched Lafayette with three steals.
Houston plays host to McNeese State on New Year's Eve in a game that tips off at 3:00 p.m.
