Tuesday, November 6
Tudor Fieldhouse
7 p.m.
Rice University
1-0
80
vs
64
Saint Leo
1
2
F
Saint Leo
31
33
64
Rice
39
41
80
Photo by: Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Late Run Gives Rice 80-64 Win Over Saint Leo in Season Opener
11/6/2018 11:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Robert Martin scores career-high 18 points
HOUSTON — Rice closed the game on a 19-6 run to turn a three-point lead into an 80-64 win over Saint Leo in the 2018-19 season opener.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I was really happy with our guy's second half defensive performance. Holding (Saint Leo) to 38% percent shooting and 30.0% from three, I thought, was the difference. I thought once we got the lead, for the most part, we did a good job to increase the lead. Certain guys made winning plays down the stretch. It was really good to see our guys finish off a game by increasing things and not letting a team back in the game down the stretch. It's a real sign of growth for us."
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate, as Saint Leo took a six-point lead just seven minutes into the game. But, a 16-4 run over the next 4:38 gave the Owls a 23-17 lead. After a three-pointer by Robert Martin, the Lions cut it to one-point. But Rice closed the half on an 8-1 run to lead, 39-31, at the break.
The Turning Point
Rice stretched its lead to 49-37 six minutes into the second half. SLU slowly began to chip away at the lead, eventually pulling to within 61-58. However, Rice scored 10 straight points from the free throw line, followed by an Ako Adams three to put the game away.
The Stats
Rice got double-figures from four players, led by junior Robert Martin's career-high 18 points. Martin hit all six of his shots from the floor, including three, three-pointers. Junior Ako Adams had 14 points and four assists. Graduate transfer Jack Williams recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 10 boards. Redshirt sophomore Josh Parrish added 10 points.
Notes
• Rice began the year at home for the second straight season.
• Rice faced Saint Leo for the first time. It was also its first game against a Sunshine State Conference opponent.
• Jack Williams recorded 10 rebounds, the most by a player in school history in their Rice debut.
• Williams also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
• 10 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• Rice shot 43.1% from the field and 26.7% from three.
• Rice also connected on 73.3% from the free throw line.
Next Up
Rice takes to the road for the first time this Friday, Nov. 9, when it travels to Philadelphia, Pa., to face Penn. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be livestreamed by ESPN+.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I was really happy with our guy's second half defensive performance. Holding (Saint Leo) to 38% percent shooting and 30.0% from three, I thought, was the difference. I thought once we got the lead, for the most part, we did a good job to increase the lead. Certain guys made winning plays down the stretch. It was really good to see our guys finish off a game by increasing things and not letting a team back in the game down the stretch. It's a real sign of growth for us."
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate, as Saint Leo took a six-point lead just seven minutes into the game. But, a 16-4 run over the next 4:38 gave the Owls a 23-17 lead. After a three-pointer by Robert Martin, the Lions cut it to one-point. But Rice closed the half on an 8-1 run to lead, 39-31, at the break.
The Turning Point
Rice stretched its lead to 49-37 six minutes into the second half. SLU slowly began to chip away at the lead, eventually pulling to within 61-58. However, Rice scored 10 straight points from the free throw line, followed by an Ako Adams three to put the game away.
The Stats
Rice got double-figures from four players, led by junior Robert Martin's career-high 18 points. Martin hit all six of his shots from the floor, including three, three-pointers. Junior Ako Adams had 14 points and four assists. Graduate transfer Jack Williams recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 10 boards. Redshirt sophomore Josh Parrish added 10 points.
Notes
• Rice began the year at home for the second straight season.
• Rice faced Saint Leo for the first time. It was also its first game against a Sunshine State Conference opponent.
• Jack Williams recorded 10 rebounds, the most by a player in school history in their Rice debut.
• Williams also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
• 10 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• Rice shot 43.1% from the field and 26.7% from three.
• Rice also connected on 73.3% from the free throw line.
Next Up
Rice takes to the road for the first time this Friday, Nov. 9, when it travels to Philadelphia, Pa., to face Penn. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be livestreamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
SLM
RICE
FG%
.411
.431
3FG%
.318
.267
FT%
.688
.733
RB
35
37
TO
22
12
STL
6
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
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