Saturday, December 29
Tudor Fieldhouse
2 p.m.
Rice University
-59, 01 CUSA
87
vs
103
North Texas
-131, 10 CUSA
1
2
F
North Texas
48
55
103
Rice
43
44
87
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Martin’s Career Day Not Enough as Rice Falls to North Texas in C-USA Opener
12/29/2018 5:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — Robert Martin scored a career-high 35 points, but it was not enough as Rice fell to North Texas, 103-87, Saturday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse in both teams Conference USA opener.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I have to give all the credit to North Texas. Obviously, scoring 103 points on the road makes it tough for us to overcome. They really shot the ball well. They attacked the rim; got big rebounds when they needed it and made big shots when they needed it. I thought they played an outstanding game and deserved to win."
The Story
The teams battled back-and-forth for the first eight minutes, as the lead changed seven times. With Rice trailing, 18-16, the Owls went on an 11-2 run on three straight three-pointers to take a 27-20 lead with nine minutes to play in the half. After exchanging baskets, Rice scored six of eight points to take its largest lead of the game, 42-31, with 3:20 to play. However, North Texas closed the half on a 17-1 run to lead, 48-43, at the break. UNT continued its run in the second half, opening with a 13-1 run to take a 59-44 lead. Rice battled back, pulling within 66-59 with 13:17 to play. However, each time Rice would get close, the Mean Green would extend its lead, eventually leading by as many as 20 points.
The Stats
Rice shot 47.2% from the field and 52.9% from three. North Texas shot 57.7% from the floor and 46.2% from three. The Owls connected on 82.4% from the free throw line, but were outrebounded, 38-to-28.
Notes
• Rice fell to 5-9 on the year and 0-1 in Conference USA.
• Rice is 7-15 all-time against North Texas and 5-6 in games played in Houston.
• Rice is 43-56 all-time in conference openers.
• Rice is 53-50 in home conference openers.
• Rice opened conference play at home for the first time since 2014-15.
• Rice tied a season-high for first half points with 43.
• The Owls connected on a season-high 52.9% from three. It is the first time they were over 50% from three since connecting on 58.8% against North Texas on Feb. 3, 2018.
• Rice tied a season-high with 48 bench points.
• Robert Martin scored a career-high 35 points on 9-of-11 from the field.
• The 35 points are the most since Egor Koulechov scored 35 at Incarnate Word on Nov. 26, 2016.
• It is also the most in a conference game since Patrick Britton scored 40 against East Carolina on Mar. 5, 2008.
• Martin connected on a career-high five-of-five from three and 12-of-12 from the free throw line.
• The five three-pointers are the third-most in school history without a miss and the most since Egor Koulechov was six-of-six at Incarnate Word on Nov. 26, 2016.
• The 12 free throws are the second-most in school history without a miss, behind Morris Almond's 13 against Western Carolina on Dec. 29, 2006.
• Ako Adams had 17 points and a game-high six assists
• Chris Mullins scored 10 points, his eighth straight game in double-figures.
• Jack Williams grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins the new year next Thursday, Jan. 3, when it hosts Southern Miss. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be livestreamed by CUSAtv.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I have to give all the credit to North Texas. Obviously, scoring 103 points on the road makes it tough for us to overcome. They really shot the ball well. They attacked the rim; got big rebounds when they needed it and made big shots when they needed it. I thought they played an outstanding game and deserved to win."
The Story
The teams battled back-and-forth for the first eight minutes, as the lead changed seven times. With Rice trailing, 18-16, the Owls went on an 11-2 run on three straight three-pointers to take a 27-20 lead with nine minutes to play in the half. After exchanging baskets, Rice scored six of eight points to take its largest lead of the game, 42-31, with 3:20 to play. However, North Texas closed the half on a 17-1 run to lead, 48-43, at the break. UNT continued its run in the second half, opening with a 13-1 run to take a 59-44 lead. Rice battled back, pulling within 66-59 with 13:17 to play. However, each time Rice would get close, the Mean Green would extend its lead, eventually leading by as many as 20 points.
The Stats
Rice shot 47.2% from the field and 52.9% from three. North Texas shot 57.7% from the floor and 46.2% from three. The Owls connected on 82.4% from the free throw line, but were outrebounded, 38-to-28.
Notes
• Rice fell to 5-9 on the year and 0-1 in Conference USA.
• Rice is 7-15 all-time against North Texas and 5-6 in games played in Houston.
• Rice is 43-56 all-time in conference openers.
• Rice is 53-50 in home conference openers.
• Rice opened conference play at home for the first time since 2014-15.
• Rice tied a season-high for first half points with 43.
• The Owls connected on a season-high 52.9% from three. It is the first time they were over 50% from three since connecting on 58.8% against North Texas on Feb. 3, 2018.
• Rice tied a season-high with 48 bench points.
• Robert Martin scored a career-high 35 points on 9-of-11 from the field.
• The 35 points are the most since Egor Koulechov scored 35 at Incarnate Word on Nov. 26, 2016.
• It is also the most in a conference game since Patrick Britton scored 40 against East Carolina on Mar. 5, 2008.
• Martin connected on a career-high five-of-five from three and 12-of-12 from the free throw line.
• The five three-pointers are the third-most in school history without a miss and the most since Egor Koulechov was six-of-six at Incarnate Word on Nov. 26, 2016.
• The 12 free throws are the second-most in school history without a miss, behind Morris Almond's 13 against Western Carolina on Dec. 29, 2006.
• Ako Adams had 17 points and a game-high six assists
• Chris Mullins scored 10 points, his eighth straight game in double-figures.
• Jack Williams grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins the new year next Thursday, Jan. 3, when it hosts Southern Miss. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and the game will be livestreamed by CUSAtv.
Team Stats
UNT
RICE
FG%
.577
.472
3FG%
.462
.529
FT%
.643
.824
RB
38
28
TO
4
10
STL
4
0
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
35
FGM
9
3FGM
5
FTM
12
Pts
10
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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