Saturday, February 22
El Paso, TX
6 p.m.
Rice University
13-15, 5-10CUSA
62
at
68
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UTEP
14-14, 5-10CUSA
1
2
F
Rice
32
30
62
UTEP
19
49
68
Rice Drops Tough Decision to UTEP
2/22/2020 9:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EL PASO, Texas — UTEP used a 19-0 run to turn a 19-point second half deficit into a 68-62 victory, Saturday night at the Don Haskins Center.
How it Happened
Rice scored the first five points of the game, but the Owls missed their next four shots as UTEP went on a 9-1 run to take a 9-6 lead. Quincy Olivari made a three-pointer and Robert Martin made a layup. The teams then traded three-pointers before a UTEP basket tied the game at 14 with 12:10 to play in the first half. After a jumper by Olivari, Ako Adams made a three-pointer. A Bryson Williams layup cut Rice's lead to three with 8:58 to play in the half, but the Owls stepped up its play. Martin made a three-pointer, sending Rice on an 11-0 run to take its largest lead of the half, 30-16. After missing eight straight shots, Daryl Edwards hit a three-pointer for the Miners. But a Josh Parrish dunk sent Rice into halftime with a 32-19 lead.
The Owls began the second half where they left off, making five of their first seven shots to their largest lead of the game, 44-25, just 4:10 into the half. However, things changed in a hurry. Rice missed its next 13 shots and UTEP made six straight three-pointers on its way to a 19-0 run that tied the game at 44. Trey Murphy III and Drew Peterson each made a pair of free throws to give Rice a four-point lead. After UTEP cut the lead to one, Martin made one-of-two free throws. Daryl Edwards then hit a three, one of eight for him on the day, to give the Miners their first lead since 9-6. The teams then traded leads three times. With Rice leading 53-52 with 5:37 to play, UTEP went on a 12-1 run to take its largest lead, 64-54, with 2:50 remaining. The Owls were able to get within four points, but could get no closer.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"Good players got hot. We took some ill-advised shots that led to (UTEP) getting some easy buckets. I didn't love our shot selection during that (19-0 run). Then we started pressing a little bit. We couldn't find a bucket. Down the stretch, they made plays and they deserved to win."
The Stats
Rice was held to just 33.9% from the field and 25.8% from three. UTEP connected on 38.9% from the floor but 42.9% from behind the arc. Rice also outrebounded the Miners, 45-to-38.
Notes
• Rice fell to 13-15 on the year and 5-10 in Conference USA.
• Rice dropped to 13-26 all-time against UTEP and 4-16 in El Paso.
• Rice held UTEP to just 19 points in the first half, tying the fewest allowed in the first half this season.
• Drew Peterson recorded his third double-double of the year with team-highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds.
• Josh Parrish recorded his first career double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds.
• Trey Murphy III scored 13 points and had four rebounds.
• Robert Martin scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will have a week off before hosting Middle Tennessee next Sunday, Mar. 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will livestreamed at CUSAtv.
How it Happened
Rice scored the first five points of the game, but the Owls missed their next four shots as UTEP went on a 9-1 run to take a 9-6 lead. Quincy Olivari made a three-pointer and Robert Martin made a layup. The teams then traded three-pointers before a UTEP basket tied the game at 14 with 12:10 to play in the first half. After a jumper by Olivari, Ako Adams made a three-pointer. A Bryson Williams layup cut Rice's lead to three with 8:58 to play in the half, but the Owls stepped up its play. Martin made a three-pointer, sending Rice on an 11-0 run to take its largest lead of the half, 30-16. After missing eight straight shots, Daryl Edwards hit a three-pointer for the Miners. But a Josh Parrish dunk sent Rice into halftime with a 32-19 lead.
The Owls began the second half where they left off, making five of their first seven shots to their largest lead of the game, 44-25, just 4:10 into the half. However, things changed in a hurry. Rice missed its next 13 shots and UTEP made six straight three-pointers on its way to a 19-0 run that tied the game at 44. Trey Murphy III and Drew Peterson each made a pair of free throws to give Rice a four-point lead. After UTEP cut the lead to one, Martin made one-of-two free throws. Daryl Edwards then hit a three, one of eight for him on the day, to give the Miners their first lead since 9-6. The teams then traded leads three times. With Rice leading 53-52 with 5:37 to play, UTEP went on a 12-1 run to take its largest lead, 64-54, with 2:50 remaining. The Owls were able to get within four points, but could get no closer.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"Good players got hot. We took some ill-advised shots that led to (UTEP) getting some easy buckets. I didn't love our shot selection during that (19-0 run). Then we started pressing a little bit. We couldn't find a bucket. Down the stretch, they made plays and they deserved to win."
The Stats
Rice was held to just 33.9% from the field and 25.8% from three. UTEP connected on 38.9% from the floor but 42.9% from behind the arc. Rice also outrebounded the Miners, 45-to-38.
Notes
• Rice fell to 13-15 on the year and 5-10 in Conference USA.
• Rice dropped to 13-26 all-time against UTEP and 4-16 in El Paso.
• Rice held UTEP to just 19 points in the first half, tying the fewest allowed in the first half this season.
• Drew Peterson recorded his third double-double of the year with team-highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds.
• Josh Parrish recorded his first career double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds.
• Trey Murphy III scored 13 points and had four rebounds.
• Robert Martin scored 10 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will have a week off before hosting Middle Tennessee next Sunday, Mar. 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will livestreamed at CUSAtv.
Team Stats
RICE
UTEP
FG%
.339
.389
3FG%
.258
.429
FT%
.632
.737
RB
45
38
TO
9
9
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG/F
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