Rice University
-1114, 38 CUSA
Marshall
-179, 56 CUSA
Rice Topped By Marshall, 72-61
2/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 16, 2011
Final Stats
Rice vs. Marshall Game Book 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Dago Pena's three-pointer ended a three-minute scoreless streak for Marshall after Rice had pulled to within a field goal and the Thundering Herd went on to grab a 72-61 Wednesday at the Cam Henderson Center.
With the win, Marshall improved to 17-9 and 5-6 in Conference USA while Rice slipped to 11-14 and 3-8.
Before Pena's late trey stretched out Marshall's lead, the momentum turned to the Thundering Herd's favor when they grabbed the lead for good on a Pena dunk with 8:16 remaining.
The score was tied at 45-45 when the Owls got out on a fastbreak following a Connor Frizzelle steal. Arsalan Kazemi took off in the lane for an attempted jam but the ball blasted out to midcourt and on toward the Marshall goal. Despite having players in position, the Owls could not retrieve the long carom. Damier Pitts got to the ball under the Marshall basket and fed Pena for the dunk, giving the Thundering Herd a 47-45 lead.
The chain of events was part of a 7-0 Marshall run that put the home team out in front 50-45.
Later, Rice pulled to within two points, 55-53, on a dunk and later a pair of free throws by Kazemi.
But following Pena's three-pointer gave the Herd a 58-53 advantage at the 2:39 mark, Marshall held the Owls to one-shot possessions. While the Owls were 0-for-4 during the stretch, Marshall was extending its lead starting with a Tirrell Baines fastbreak layup. The Herd scored 11 unanswered points to build a 66-53 lead with 45 seconds remaining.
Marshall scored the final four points of the first half to enjoy its biggest lead of the period, 30-24, at intermission.
Rice had a two-rebound edge at halftime but Marshall outrebounded the Owls 36-24 for the game.
Tamir Jackson led the Owls with 21 points and had three assists in 37 minutes of play. Kazemi scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He also had two blocks and two steals.
Johnny Thomas scored 13 points to lead Marshall. Pitts, Pena and DeAndre Kane each finished with 11 points.
Marshall was 23-of-24 at the free throw line.
Rice returns home after a two-game road stand and plays host to Memphis Saturday. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip and will be broadcasted regionally by CSS.
