Louisiana-Lafayette 79, Houston 76 (OT): Elfrid Payton scored a game-high 31 points and hit the game-winning free throw in overtime to lift the Ragin' Cajuns past the visiting Cougars.

Shawn Long recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds for Louisiana-Lafayette (7-3), which trailed by as many as 10 points. The Ragin' Cajuns went 20-of-33 from the charity stripe and Payton led the team with 11 made free throws.

TaShawn Thomas finished with 27 points and seven blocks for Houston (7-5), which has lost five of its last seven games. Danrad Knowles poured in 16 points while Brandon Morris added 13.

The Ragin' Cajuns hung tough offensively in the first half until the Cougars unleashed a 10-0 run with nearly eight minutes remaining. Knowles and Thomas combined for 22 of the team's 40 points as Houston went into intermission with an eight-point lead.

Houston surrendered the lead twice in the second half before the Ragin' Cajuns finally built up a six-point cushion, only to lose it with less than two minutes to go. After tying it at 69 with three seconds left with a free throw, Payton missed the potential game-winning second free throw in regulation but redeemed himself with three in overtime, including the game-winner.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Thomas has recorded seven blocks three times this season. ... Houston committed 10 turnovers in the first half. ... The Ragin' Cajuns are 3-0 in the series against the Cougars at home.