Rice University
6-10, 1-1
SMU
5-9, 0-2
Fast Start Leads to 69-57 Rice Win
1/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2009
HOUSTON - Lawrence Ghoram equaled a season high, scoring 17 points and also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds as Rice defeated SMU 69-57 Wednesday.
The victory snapped a 19-game Conference USA losing streak which dated back to 2007 as the Owls improved to 6-10 and 1-1 in league play. SMU is now 5-9 and 0-2.
Rice jumped out to an early 9-0 lead as SMU missed its first 10 shots of the game. The Mustangs finally got on the board with a Derek Williams layup with 14:59 to play in the half. Cory Pflieger answered at the other end with a three-pointer off a Ghoram assist to give the Owls their first double-figure lead.
Rice led by as many as 18 points in the first half and enjoyed a 37-22 halftime lead. Robert Nyakundi beat the horn at the end of the half for a three-pointer for the Mustangs.
After Rice forward Trey Stanton scored inside early in the second period to give Rice a 39-22 lead, SMU went on a 14-0 run to cut the Rice lead to three points with 15:16 to play. Bamba Fall started the rally with a couple field goals inside and Papa Dia capped the run with a three-point play that made the score 39-36.
Ghoram would finally answer with a jumper in the paint and after a missed SMU shot, Connor Frizzelle drilled a three-pointer to extend the lead back to eight, 44-36.
Rice had a double-figure lead for the final nine minutes of the game.
Ghoram not only led Rice in scoring and rebounding, he also equaled a career high with four assists and had two steals. He was 6-of-14 from the field and knocked down three of his four three-point attempts. The game was Ghoram's second straight 14-point effort.
Rice sophomore Trey Stanton for the first time in six games and finished with 12 points and five boards. Freshman point guard Connor Frizzelle came off the bench to score in double figures for the first time since mid-December, finishing with 10 points and six rebounds.
SMU was led by Williams' 14 points. He also had six rebounds and three assists. Bamba Fall scored eight points and had three blocks.
