Rice University Athletics
Rice Plays Host to Louisiana College Wednesday
12/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 12, 2011
Rice Game Notes 
Link to Braun Radio Show Audio
Following a 10-day break for finals, Rice returns to the court for the first of three home games over the course of six days as the Owls play host to Louisiana College Wednesday night in Tudor Fieldhouse. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be broadcast by 1560 The Game (KGOW) while video will be streamed through RiceOwls.com and Rice All-Access.
During the current home stand, Rice will also play host to Lamar (Dec. 17) and Temple (Dec. 19).
Rice, 6-2, went to break riding a two-game winning streak. In their last week of play, the Owls beat Houston Baptist 78-66 then posted an 81-67, home-court victory over St. Thomas in their last game.
Louisiana College is also coming off an extended break for finals, last playing on Dec. 6th when the Wildcats claimed their first road win over Mississippi College. LC beat the Choctaws 88-85.
Louisiana College has now won its last three games and is off to a 4-1 start.
The Wildcats are averaging better than 81 points per game and three members of the team are averaging better than 16 points an outing - senior guards Jarrod Jackson (16.8) and Jelani Mitchell (16.2) along with senior post player Korey Salmon (16.0). Mitchell also leads Louisiana College with 25 assists.
Junior Derrick Gardner averages a team-leading 6.8 rebounds to go along with 9.2 points.
Through eight games, junior guard Tamir Jackson is averaging 13.5 points per game to lead Rice in scoring. Jackson has connected on 48.6 percent of his field goals this season and also leads the team with 24 assists.
Junior forward Arsalan Kazemi is coming off an 18-point, 14-rebound, eight-assist game in the Owls' win over St. Thomas in the team's last game.
For the year, Kazemi is averaging 12.6 points per game and his 11.9 rebounding average ranks third in the nation. Kazemi is shooting a Conference USA-leading 58.2 percent from the field and also leads the Owls in steals with 14.
Led by Kazemi's numbers, Rice heads into Wednesday's game against Louisiana College with a +9.5 rebounding margin. The owls began the week ranked 12th nationally in rebounding margin.
Both Jackson and Kazemi are closing in on scoring their 1,000th career points as is Connor Frizzelle who enters the week with 981 career points. During the current home stand, Frizzelle is expected to become the 29th player in Rice history to score 1,000 points. He will be the first Rice player to score 1,000 points since Morris Almond (2003-07) during his senior season.
Jackson and Kazemi currently have 886 and 885 points, respectively.
In Time for the Holidays
"Rice's Owls", a compilation of Robert Flatt's photos, is now on sale online and through the Rice Athletic Ticket Office at Tudor Fieldhouse, with all proceeds benefiting the Owl Club, which supports the overall goals for the Rice University Athletic Department by generating the funds for scholarships for our student-athletes in 16 varsity sports. A photographic chronicle of the daily life of a family of owls who took up residence on the Rice campus in 2010 has become a unique holiday gift opportunity that will also benefit the student-athletes at Rice University.
The Owls and Flatt will commemorate the start of sales with an official launch and book signing party prior to the Louisiana College game. The book signing will take place in Tudor Fieldhouse Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Braun Radio Show
The Ben Braun Radio Show returns to the Edloe Street Café in West University Monday night on 1560 The Game.
Tonight's guests include 1982 Southwest Conference Player of the Year Ricky Pierce who went on to be a two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year during a lengthy professional career.
The Edloe Street Café is located at 6119 Edloe Street in the heart of West University. The show is broadcast live from 7 to 8 p.m. on 1560 The Game.
