Rice University
6-5
Western Carolina
5-8
Rice Defeats Western Carolina 67-62
12/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2006
Moraga, Calif. -- Morris Almond scored a game-high 36 points including 29 of Rice's 37 second-half points to lead the Owls in a come-from-behind 67-62 victory over Western Carolina in the third-place game of the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic hosted by Saint Mary's College. Almond is now averaging a nation-leading 30.3 points per game. It was also the fifth time this season that Almond has scored 30 or more points in a game and the 12th time in his career.
The Owls were down 46-36 when Rice outscored the Catamounts 19 to 9 to forge a 55-55 tie with 3:32 left in the game. Almond scored 17 of Rice's 19 points in that run.
WCU's Nick Aldridge then sank two free throws to give WCU a 57-55 lead before Rice's Lawrence Ghoram dropped a jumper to tie it up.
Almond then drilled a three-pointer to give Rice a 60-59 lead. Aldridge answered with a layup to give the lead back to WCU. On the ensuing possession, Almond was fouled on a three-point attempt and he converted on all three free throws to give the Owls the lead for good at 63-61.
In two games at the Shamrock Office Solutions Classic, Almond scored 64 points and averaged 7 rebounds.
Cory Pflieger nailed three treys for nine points for Rice. Aldridge led WCU with 15 points and 9 rebounds.
Shamrock Office Solutions Classic All-Tournament Team
Diamon Simpson (MVP) Saint Mary's
Brett Collins Saint Mary's
Justin Hare Belmont
Boomer Herndon Belmont
Morris Almond Rice
Jeff Aldridge Western Carolina
The Owls now host Vanderbilt on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 7:05 pm in Autry Court.
