Rice University
11-12, 5-5
East Carolina
7-16, 1-9
Rice Beats East Carolina, 62-54
2/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2006
Morris Almond poured in a game-high 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, for his fourth double-double of the season, to lead Rice to a 62-54 home court victory over East Carolina in Autry Court.
For Almond, Conference USA's leading scorer, it marked the fourth consecutive game, all against C-USA competition, that he has scored at least 30 points. He previously tallied 30 vs. Memphis, 36 at Marshall, and 31 at Tulsa.
Almond is now averaging 22.0 ppg and 27.3 ppg in C-USA action.
Rice (11-12, 5-5 C-USA) was down 26-19 after a 14-2 East Carolina run, but the Owls scored the last five points to end the half down only by two.
The Owls started the second-half on a 10-2 run as Lorenzo Williams hit a trey, Almond converted a three-point play, J.R. Harrison added a basket, and Almond scored again to give Rice a 34-30 lead.
ECU (7-16, 1-9 C-USA) did rally to take a 46-44 lead on a three-pointer by Courtney Captain at 7:43. With the score knotted at 50-50, Rice went on a 7-0 mini-run to give the Owls some breathing room. Rice then made 5-of-6 at the free throw line (two by Paulius Packevicius and Harrison, and by Williams) to secure the win.
Also with a double-double was J.R. Harrison with a game-high 12 rebounds and 14 points. Williams finished with 7 points.
The Pirates were led by Tyrone Beale's 15 points. Captain and Sam Hinnant each added 10.
Rice now plays at UTEP on Sat., Feb. 18 at 8:05 pm Central.
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