Hot Start and Strong Finish Lead to Victory over St. Edward’s in Exhibition Action

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3:30 p.m.

HOUSTON — Rice shot 63.3% in the first half, then closed the game on a 10-0 run to defeat St. Edward's, 85-71, Thursday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Rice came out of the gate strong, jumping out to a 12-4 lead in the first five minutes. Over the next two minutes, the teams traded baskets, with SEU pulling within 15-11. But the Owls went on a 12-3 run to take a 27-14 lead. After a Hilltopper layup, the teams traded three-pointers. Rice then scored 12 of the next 14 points behind triples from Riley Abercrombie and Chris Mullins to take its largest lead of the game, 42-21, with 6:28 to play. St. Edward's then went on a 10-3 run and cut the lead to 12 behind a pair of threes. But a Jake Lieppert jumper sent Rice into halftime with a 51-37 lead as the Owls shot 63.3% from the field in the first half.

However, Rice struggled to start the second half as St. Edward's opened the first five minutes on a 12-4 run to pull within six. But a Mylyjael Poteat dunk sent the Owls on a 13-3 run to take a 66-52 lead midway through the second half. The teams then traded baskets before Rice went cold, missing eight straight shots over the next four and a half minutes as the Hilltoppers cut the deficit to 75-71 with 4:35 to play. But Mullins got a steal and drove the length of the court for a layup, then converted an and-one as Rice closed the game on a 10-0 run.

The Stats
Rice connected on 49.2% from the field but just 29.6% from three. St. Edward's was held to 33.3% from the floor and 24.2% from three. Rice also outrebounded the Hilltoppers, 44-to-43.

What Scott Pera Had to Say
"It's kind of like an exhibition-slash-dress rehearsal. The returners know all of our procedures in terms of preparing for a game but the new guys don't. So to go through the game prep the last couple of days, the scouting report, the film process and then game day, I think that's all really good. To then play a game, you want to play well. You want to see improvement. I'm happy with some things (and) disappointed in others. That's usually the way these things go."

Notes
• Rice faced St. Edward's for the seventh time in the past eight years. However, this was just the second exhibition game.
• 15 players saw action for the Owls with 10 playing at least 10 minutes.
• Rice shot 49.2% from the field but just 29.6% from three.
• Rice also connected on 70.8% from the free throw line.
• The Owls held SEU to 33.3% from the floor and 24.2% from three.
• Quincy Olivari recorded a double-double, leading the Owls with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
• Chris Mullins scored 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
• Mylyjael Poteat was a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor, scoring 12 points while adding six rebounds.
• Carl Pierre added 10 points and five boards.
• Travis Evee had a game-high five assists.

Next Up
Rice begins the 2021-22 regular season next Tuesday, Nov. 9, when it hosts CBI Champion Pepperdine. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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