
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Comeback Comes Up Short as Rice Falls to Lamar, 75-68
12/1/2018 9:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — Rice cut a 19-point deficit to three late in the game, but it was not enough as the Owls dropped a close game to Lamar, 75-68, Saturday afternoon from Tudor Fieldhouse.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I thought (Lamar) came out in the first half and shot the ball very well. They got a lead that we couldn't overcome. It's kind of been déjà vu with us right now; getting behind and trying to fight back. Obviously, I'm very proud of the effort we gave in the second half. Through our shooting woes, we still had a chance to compete and close the gap. It just wasn't enough."
The Story
Rice got down early as Lamar jumped out to a 20-7 lead, seven minutes into the game. Six straight points pulled Rice to within seven, but the Owls went the next seven minutes without a field goal as the Cardinals to their largest lead of the half, 32-16, with six minutes to play. But, Rice was able to close the gap to 11 points as it trailed at the half, 37-26. Lamar opened the second half on an 11-3 run over the first three minutes, taking its largest lead of the game, 48-29. However, the Owls slowly began to chip away at the deficit. A Trey Murphy III three-pointer got Rice within 54-45 with 12 minutes to play, its first time in single-digits since 20-13. Lamar pushed its lead back to 14. But, Rice responded. Trailing 66-54 with 4:30 left, the owls scored seven of eight points to get within six. Three free throws pushed the lead back to nine. But, Rice again scored seven of eight points to make it a three-point game at 71-68 with 16 seconds to play. However, that's as close as Rice would get.
The Stats
Rice shot just 34.4% from the field and 22.9% from three. However, the Owls connected on 72.7% from the free throw line. Lamar hit 42.9% from the floor and just 28.6% from three. Rice was outrebounded, 45-to-37.
Notes
• Rice fell to 3-6 on the year.
• Rice is 18-12 all-time against Lamar and 13-5 in games played in Houston.
• Rice is 38-32 all-time against the Southland Conference.
• This is the sixth straight season that Rice has faced a team from the Southland Conference and the 12th in the past 13 seasons. Rice is 14-13 against the Southland in the past 12 seasons.
• Robert Martin scored a game and career-high 21 points. It was his first career 20-point game
• Martin also grabbed seven rebounds.
• Chris Mullins tied a career-high with 14 points and had a career-high four rebounds.
• Jack Williams led Rice with nine rebounds.
• Trey Murphy III scored a career-high 11 points. It was his first career double-digit scoring game.
• Drew Peterson tied a career-high with four rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will take almost a two-week break due to exams before returning to the hardwood on Thursday, Dec. 13, against St. Edward's for the annual Kid's Day game. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. CT and the game will be livestreamed by CUSAtv.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I thought (Lamar) came out in the first half and shot the ball very well. They got a lead that we couldn't overcome. It's kind of been déjà vu with us right now; getting behind and trying to fight back. Obviously, I'm very proud of the effort we gave in the second half. Through our shooting woes, we still had a chance to compete and close the gap. It just wasn't enough."
The Story
Rice got down early as Lamar jumped out to a 20-7 lead, seven minutes into the game. Six straight points pulled Rice to within seven, but the Owls went the next seven minutes without a field goal as the Cardinals to their largest lead of the half, 32-16, with six minutes to play. But, Rice was able to close the gap to 11 points as it trailed at the half, 37-26. Lamar opened the second half on an 11-3 run over the first three minutes, taking its largest lead of the game, 48-29. However, the Owls slowly began to chip away at the deficit. A Trey Murphy III three-pointer got Rice within 54-45 with 12 minutes to play, its first time in single-digits since 20-13. Lamar pushed its lead back to 14. But, Rice responded. Trailing 66-54 with 4:30 left, the owls scored seven of eight points to get within six. Three free throws pushed the lead back to nine. But, Rice again scored seven of eight points to make it a three-point game at 71-68 with 16 seconds to play. However, that's as close as Rice would get.
The Stats
Rice shot just 34.4% from the field and 22.9% from three. However, the Owls connected on 72.7% from the free throw line. Lamar hit 42.9% from the floor and just 28.6% from three. Rice was outrebounded, 45-to-37.
Notes
• Rice fell to 3-6 on the year.
• Rice is 18-12 all-time against Lamar and 13-5 in games played in Houston.
• Rice is 38-32 all-time against the Southland Conference.
• This is the sixth straight season that Rice has faced a team from the Southland Conference and the 12th in the past 13 seasons. Rice is 14-13 against the Southland in the past 12 seasons.
• Robert Martin scored a game and career-high 21 points. It was his first career 20-point game
• Martin also grabbed seven rebounds.
• Chris Mullins tied a career-high with 14 points and had a career-high four rebounds.
• Jack Williams led Rice with nine rebounds.
• Trey Murphy III scored a career-high 11 points. It was his first career double-digit scoring game.
• Drew Peterson tied a career-high with four rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will take almost a two-week break due to exams before returning to the hardwood on Thursday, Dec. 13, against St. Edward's for the annual Kid's Day game. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. CT and the game will be livestreamed by CUSAtv.
Team Stats
LU
RICE
FG%
.429
.344
3FG%
.286
.229
FT%
.656
.727
RB
45
37
TO
13
10
STL
2
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
Rice Men's Basketball Team Impact Signing
Friday, March 28
Rice MBB vs. Wichita State Postgame Presser
Friday, March 07
Rice vs. Tulsa Postgame Press Conference 2/22/25
Saturday, February 22
MBB Postgame Presser vs. UAB 2/19/25
Thursday, February 20