Defensive Effort Leads Rice to 85-55 Victory over Incarnate Word

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HOUSTON — Rice used a standout defensive effort to hold Incarnate Word to just 28.6% from the field and earn an 85-55 victory, Thursday morning in its annual School House Mania game at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Rice used its defense to take an 8-2 lead, holding Incarnate Word without a field goal through the first seven minutes of play. Over the next seven minutes, the teams traded baskets. Travis Evee's three-pointer then sparked a 7-2 run that gave the Owls a 22-13 lead with five minutes to play in the half. After the team exchanged baskets, Rice picked up its play on the offensive end when a Carl Pierre triple sent the Owls on a 13-2 run, capped off by a Mylyjael Poteat three-point play to give Rice its largest lead of the half before heading into the break with a 39-23 lead.

UIW opened the second half with a jumper. But three straight three-pointers by Evee and Quincy Olivari sent Rice on a 13-2 run. After a Cardinal basket, Pierre and Evee combined for three straight treys as the Owls extended their lead to 61-30 just 6:10 into the second half. Rice kept up its defensive play. Incarnate Word got no closer than 27 points the rest of the way as the Owls led by as many as 37 points.

The Stats
Rice shot 50.0% from the field and 44.4% from three. Incarnate Word was held to just 28.6% from the floor and 17.2% from three. Rice also outrebounded the Cardinals, 55-to-30.

What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I'm really proud of the defensive effort to start the game from our guys. That's what we have to do on nights that we're not scoring the ball. Our defense kept us in it and allowed us to play with the lead. We started separating and toward the end of the first half, we really found our rhythm. Guys shared the ball and our shooters made shots. It was a fun day for our guys and I'm happy to get the win."

Notes
• This was just the fourth meeting between Rice and Incarnate Word, with the Owls holding a 3-1.
• The series is tied at one when played in Houston.
• Rice scored at least 80 points for the third straight game and the seventh time this year.
• Rice connected on 50.0% from the field, the sixth time this season it has made at least 50% of its shots.
• Rice connected on 12 three-pointers, the eighth straight game with at least 10 three-pointers, and the ninth time this year.
• Rice grabbed a season-high 55 rebounds, its most since pulling down 61 against Our Lady of the Lake on Nov. 28, 2020.
• Rice's 34 points in the paint were a season-high.
• The Owls held Incarnate Word to season opponent lows in points (55), field goal percentage (28.6%), and three-point field goal percentage (17.2%).
• Sophomore Travis Evee led all players, tying a season-high with 24 points while posting career-highs of eight rebounds and eight assists.
• Evee tied a season-high with six three-pointers.
• With his six three-pointers, he has connected on a three in 31 straight games.
• Graduate student Carl Pierre scored 14 points and grabbed a season-high eight rebounds.
• Second-year freshman Mylyjael Poteat scored a career-high 13 points.
• Graduate student Terrance McBride scored a season-high nine points and had three assists.
• Sophomore Max Fiedler had eight points and seven rebounds

Next Up
Rice will play its last home non-conference game this Sunday, Dec. 19, when it hosts St. Thomas. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by CUSAtv.

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