GAME NOTES: The Harvard Crimson will continue their four-game homestand at Lavietes Pavilion on Tuesday night when they take on the Houston Cougars in non-conference action.

Houston hasn't been very busy in the early going this season with just two games, but it has come out victorious each time. After downing Murray State on the road in their opener on Nov. 14 (77-74), the Cougars defeated Morgan State at home Saturday, 72-57.

Harvard came into the campaign as the first Ivy League team ranked in the preseason AP poll in 40 years but was quickly dropped from the ranks following a Nov. 16 loss to Holy Cross (58-57). The Crimson rebounded from that setback on Nov. 20 with an easy 71-49 home win over Florida Atlantic. They have been outstanding at home in recent seasons, going 51-3 at Lavietes Pavilion since the start of the 2010-11 campaign.

This marks the first-ever meeting between the programs.

The Cougars never trailed in their most recent game, running out to a 41-28 lead at intermission before cruising to the 15-point victory. Although they struggled mightily from the field at just 32.9 percent and turned the ball over 23 times, they knocked down 10 3-pointers, held Morgan State to just 33.3 percent shooting and dominated the rebounding battle, 62-36, which included 30 offensive boards. Devonta Pollard was the catalyst with 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Cavon Baker also notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. Danrad Knowles and Eric Weary Jr. scored 11 points apiece, Jherrod Stiggers netted 10 points and LeRon Barnes collected 11 rebounds.

On the young season, Houston shoots just 38.7 percent from the field but still outscores its opponents by 9.0 ppg. Pollard leads the way with 19.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg, although he turns the ball over 4.5 times per game. Rounding out the double-digit scorers are Stiggers (13.5 ppg), Baker (13.0 ppg) and Weary (10.0 ppg).

The Crimson also had a relatively easy go of it in their latest contest, as they outshot FAU from the field, 51.9 percent to 36.8 percent, en route to the 22-point victory. They also outscored their opponent from the free-throw line, 14-3, and earned a 37-23 advantage on the glass. Wesley Saunders was excellent in the victory with 19 points (on 7-of-11 from the field) and six assists. Steve Moundou-Missi tallied 14 points and six rebounds, while Evan Cummins narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 boards.

Harvard is shooting an impressive 51 percent from the field this season for 67.0 ppg, but its biggest asset has been its play on the defensive end of the floor (.385 FG percentage, 53.0 ppg), as it has allowed fewer than 60 points in each game. Saunders, the Preseason Ivy League Player of the Year, stuffs the stat sheet with 19.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Moundou-Missi has also been stellar with 10.0 ppg.

As impressive as Houston has been this season, especially in the paint, it has yet to face a task as difficult as playing Harvard on the road. Expect the Crimson to put together another fantastic defensive effort en route to a victory.