Feb. 7, 2007
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DALLAS (AP) -Oliver Lafayette scored 20 points to help Houston defeat SMU 64-49 on Wednesday night.
Lafayette was 5-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds. Robert Lee came off the bench to add 13 points and Robert McKiver had 11, including three 3-pointers. Dion Dowell led the team with eight rebounds.
The Cougars (12-10, 6-3 Conference USA) led 28-21 at halftime and had an 18-point lead with 52 seconds remaining in the game. They turned 21 SMU turnovers into 23 points and led the Mustangs in fast-break points and rebounds.
Devon Pearson came off the bench to lead the Mustangs (13-10, 2-7) with 13 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Ike Ofoegbu had 11 points and five rebounds.
Pearson increased his career rebounding total to 606 during the game. He is the 19th Mustang to reach 600 career boards. Bamba Fall had two blocks to extend his SMU sophomore record to 62 on the year. He is closing in on Reggie Franklin for fourth-most ever in a season at SMU. Franklin had 70 as a senior in 1978-79. Jon Koncak set the standard with 97 as a junior in 1983-84.
The Mustangs face the most familiar of foes on Saturday when the Rice Owls visit Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m. The Mustangs and Owls will meet for the 183rd time with SMU holding a 111-71 advantage. That is the most wins by SMU versus any opponent and will break the tie with TCU for the most meetings.
