Rice University
1-2
New Mexico Highlands
1-2
Owls Rope Cowboys - Defeat New Mexico Highlands 87-75
11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2005
Lorenzo Williams scored a career-high 27 points to lead Rice University past New Mexico Highlands 87-75 in the Owls' home opener in Autry Court. Williams also grabbed a career-high 7 rebounds for Rice (1-2).
In scoring 27 points, Williams made a career-high five three-pointers after only making 6 in all of last season.
The Owls got off to a great start by leading 10-3 and steadily increased it to 38-22 at the break by forcing the Cowboys into 17 turnovers. The Rice defense also limited NMHU to 33 percent shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes.
Rice was up 72-50 with eight minutes remaining but New Mexico Highlands (1-2) did not give up and was able to chip away at the lead as the Cowboys shot 53 percent in the second stanza. After two made free throws by NMHU's Brandon Weaver, Rice's lead was 77-66 with three minutes to play. But, four straight made free throws by Arthur Culver sealed it for Rice with 38 seconds left and to increase the lead to 82-71.
Also scoring in double-figures for Rice was J.R. Harrison with a season-high 19 points and 9 rebounds and Jamaal Moore tallied a season-high 15 points. Patrick Britton also snared a career-high 9 rebounds, while scoring a season-high 7 points.
Robert Franklin led New Mexico Highlands with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
The Owls now prepare for their Sat., Nov. 26 game at Oregon (4 pm CST). That game can be heard on 97.5 FM KFNC.
Rice's first on-line auction is now underway. Fans can bid on an autographed basketball signed by the men's basketball team and four court level tickets for the Toyota Center showdown on Mon., December 5 vs. Texas.
