Dec. 27, 2005

Stats

HOUSTON (AP) - Oliver Lafayette scored 18 points and Houston held Rhode Island to 15 first-half points in a 67-41 victory Tuesday night.

Lafayette also had three steals as 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 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.