The Texans began the night by falling into an 8-0 hole in the first 2:15 of the game.   Ladarius Hall then converted a field goal, which was promptly answered by Howard.  Freshman Antwain Thomas pulled the Texans to within two when he made two big three pointers on consecutive trips down the court.  That was as close as the Texans would get in the first half as they went to the locker room trailing 33-28 and trailed by as many as eleven.