Houston Grabs Win In Thriller Against Rice, 74-71

Calendar

No Upcoming Events

3/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

March 1, 2006

HOUSTON (AP) -- Lanny Smith hit a layup with 48 seconds left and Jahmar Thorpe followed with two free throws to help Houston defeat Rice 74-71 Wednesday night.

Morris Almond missed two 3-point attempts in the final six seconds for Rice.

Oliver Lafayette led Houston (19-7, 9-4 Conference USA) with 22 points and Smith added 17.

J.R. Harrison led Rice (11-15, 5-8) with 22 points and Almond added 17. Patrick Britton came off the bench to score 12.

Rice led by as many as eight points midway of the second half before the Cougars came back to tie the game at 64 with 5:47 left. The game was tied 15 times, including at 71 with 1:14 left.

Houston led 44-42 at the half.