Rice University
5-8
Texas A&M
12-1
Owls Tripped Up by Aggies
12/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2008
HOUSTON - In breaking the sixth tie of the second half, Texas A&M started a 15-5 run en route to a 72-60 win over Rice Wednesday afternoon in Tudor Fieldhouse.
Derrick Roland was fouled while scoring inside at the 9:59 mark of the second period. His free throw gave the Aggies a 51-48 lead. The next time down the floor Chinemelu Elonu got free for a dunk and the A&M rally was underway.
With the win, Texas A&M improved to 12-1 with its eighth straight win. Rice is now 5-8.
During the Aggies' run, Rice turned the ball over three times. By the time Josh Carter scored inside, the Aggies lead was 63-53 with 5:15 to play. Rice would not get any closer than eight points as Texas A&M held the Owls to 28 percent shooting in the second half (6-of-21) and forced nine turnovers in the period.
Carter was one of four Texas A&M players to score in double figures, finishing with 11 points. Bryan Davis led the Aggies with an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double. Elonu finished with 14 points and Donald Sloan contributed 10.
Rice shot 57 percent from the field in the first half and erased an early seven-point Texas A&M lead. Lucas Kuipers hit a short jumper, Connor Frizzelle nailed a three pointer and Rodney Foster's jumper at the 7:12 mark of the half tied the game at 22-22.
The Owls would go on to take as much as a six-point, 34-28 lead late in the first half.
Frizzelle's steal and layup gave the Owls a six-point lead with 1:19 to play in the period. Texas A&M's B.J. Holmes would make the second of two free throw attempts to cut the Owls' lead to 34-29.
Rice was led by Foster's 18-point, five-assist effort. No other Rice player scored in double figures and shooting guard Cory Pflieger led the team with seven rebounds. Foster's three rebounds was the next highest Rice player total as the Aggies outrebounded the Owls 35-24.
Rice is back in action Saturday when the Owls close out non-league play at Richmond. Texas A&M plays host to McNeese State on Saturday.
