Thursday, January 20
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
-116,42 CUSA
77
vs
69
Old Dominion
-710,22 CUSA
1
2
F
Old Dominion
38
31
69
Rice
40
37
77
Late Run Propels Owls to 77-69 Victory over Old Dominion
1/20/2022 11:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — Rice held Old Dominion scoreless over the final 6:39, closing the game on a 16-0 run to turn an eight-point deficit into a 77-69 victory over Old Dominion, Thursday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
After Carl Pierre started the scoring with a three, Old Dominion went on an 11-3 run to take an 11-6 lead through the first three minutes. The teams went back-and-forth over the next three minutes. But the Owls scored nine of the next seven points, capped off with three-pointers by Quincy Olivari and Travis Evee. With the game tied at 22, Rice went on a 9-2 run to take a 31-24 lead, its largest of the first half, with 6:18 to play. After trading buckets over the next two minutes, the Monarchs closed the half on a 10-4 run as Rice went into halftime clinging to a 40-38 lead.
Old Dominion scored four points to start the second half and take the lead. Pierre then made four straight three-pointers, but each time ODU answered with one of their own as they went back-and-forth over the first five and a half minutes. With Rice holding a 54-52 lead, the Monarchs went on a 10-1 run to take a 62-55 lead. Four Rice baskets were answered by Old Dominion, including a three-pointer by Jaylin Hunter that gave ODU its largest lead of the game, 69-61, with 6:40 remaining. After Evee made a layup, Old Dominion had five straight chances to extend its lead but couldn't score. That's when the Owls took over. After Olivari was fouled on a three-point attempt, he made the first two free throws before missing the third. But Rice got the rebound and Mylyjael Poteat found Olivari for his third three-pointer of the game to pull the Owls within a point. ODU missed a jumper and Evee hit Pierre for a triple from the top of the key, his seventh of the game that gave Rice a 71-69 lead with 2:51 to play. The game stayed that way for almost two minutes before a Poteat layup made it a two-possession game with 1:09 remaining. Old Dominion then missed three shots in the final minute as Evee made four straight free throws to clinch the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 43.8% from the field and 46.4% from three. Old Dominion was held to 43.1% from the floor and 30.4% from three. Rice also outrebounded the Monarchs, 42-to-34.
What Scott Pera Had to Say
"That was a tremendous, dig-in, gritty, tough battle by our guys defensively down the stretch. Offensively, I thought we handled it really well too. Guys hit big shots. What was really important was getting to the foul line. That played a big role. Overall, it was a great team win."
Notes
• Rice improved to 11-6 on the season and 4-2 in Conference USA.
• Rice hit 13 three-pointers. It is the 11th time this year it has made at least 10 threes.
• The Owls pulled down a season-high 17 offensive rebounds. It's the most since grabbing 19 against Houston Baptist on Dec. 15, 2020
• Graduate student Carl Pierre scored 21 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
• It is his second straight 20-point game and team-leading fifth of the year.
• Pierre connected on seven three-pointers, tying the fourth-most in a game in school history.
• Pierre's 15 three-pointers in the last two games are the most in a two-game span in school history.
• Evee scored 14 points, had a game-high six assists, and grabbed four rebounds.
• Sophomore Quincy Olivari scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and had four assists.
• Second-year freshman Mylyjael Poteat scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds.
Next Up
Rice closes the homestand this Saturday, Jan. 22 when it hosts Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and it will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
ODU
Rice
FG%
.431
.438
3FG%
.304
.464
FT%
.857
.667
RB
34
42
TO
8
9
STL
5
4
Game Leaders
Pts
21
FGM
7
3FGM
7
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballWBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02