Men's Basketball: Owls Open European Tour With Big Win

LONDON, England -- The Rice Owls opened up their summer foreign tour with a 92-60 victory over the English Select University all-star team Saturday. The game was the first of six the Owls will play against various teams in England and France.

On Saturday, The Owls quickly took a commanding lead early in the first half on a barrage of three-point baskets by Omar Seli-Mance and Erik Cooper. By the end of the first half, Rice led 52-31.

Having adjusted to the jet lag, the Owls came out of the locker room in the second half applying a full-court press and picking up man-to-man all over the floor. Rice completely shut down and frustrated the English opposition, holding them to 29 points and forcing a game total of 32 turnovers.

"I was very pleased with our total effort in today's game," Rice coach Willis Wilson said after the game. "From the tip to the final horn, we played with energy, enthusiasm, and a total team effort.

"It was nice to see Omar in a Rice uniform, and Erik back at full strength. The team chemistry looks very promising. I look forward to us building on this win and facing our upcoming opponents."

Cooper led all scorers with 26 points and finished with eight rebounds. Mance, a transfer from Louisiana State, made an impressive debut at point guard for the Owls with 22 points, six assists, and four steals. Two other Owls finished in double digits: Ferron Morgan and Mike Wilks each added 10 points.

The Owls' next opponent will be the Islington Select Team on Sunday.

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