Pierre’s Double-Double Leads Rice to 65-61 Victory over Middle Tennessee

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3:30 p.m.

HOUSTON — Carl Pierre scored 10 points in a 17-2 second half run on his way to his first career double-double to lead Rice to a 65-61 victory over Middle Tennessee, Thursday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
The Owls got off to a fast start, jumping out to an 8-3 lead in the first three minutes. After Middle Tennessee tied the game, the teams traded baskets before the Blue Raiders took their first lead, 14-13. The teams then traded leads six times over the next seven minutes with Middle Tennessee holding a 23-20 lead with 4:46 to play. But Chris Mullins scored seven points in an 8-2 Rice run to close the half and take a 28-23 lead into halftime.

Middle Tennessee scored nine of the first 10 points in the second half as Rice missed its first four shots of the half. The Owls then scored six straight points, retaking the lead on a Mylyjael Poteat layup. But the Blue Raiders went on a 10-3 run to take its largest lead of the game, 44-38, with 10:54 to play. That's when the Owls took over. Poteat and Pierre hit back-to-back baskets to pull Rice within two. After a Middle Tennessee layup, Quincy Olivari hit a three-pointer and Travis Evee made a pair of free throws to give the Owls the lead for good. Pierre then scored eight straight points, including consecutive threes, as Rice took its largest lead of the game, 55-46, with 5:32 remaining.

However, the Blue Raiders would not go away, scoring eight of the next 10 points to get within 57-54. The teams traded baskets before Middle Tennessee made it a 61-60 game with 51 seconds to play. But the Owls made four-of-six free throws to ice the game.

The Stats
Rice connected on 41.5% from the field but a season-low 20.8% from three. Middle Tennessee was held to 35.7% from the floor and 26.7% from three. The Owls also won the rebounding battle, 42-to-40.

What Scott Pera Had to Say
"That was a tremendous gut-check win by our kids. There's no other way to put it. Exhausted, running on fumes, and they refused to give in. They made a comeback when (Middle Tennessee) got the lead early in the second half. They fought back. I'm just really proud. For our kids to dig down that deep, this is a really good win against a very good and well-coached team.

Notes
• Rice improved to 8-5 on the season and 1-1 in Conference USA.
• This was the 13th meeting between Rice and Middle Tennessee, with the Owls holding a 7-6 record.
• Rice is 6-2 in games played in Houston.
• The Owls have won five straight games in the series.
• Rice is 54-50 all-time in conference home openers.
• Graduate student Carl Pierre recorded his first career double-double, scoring a game-high 19 points while tying a career-high with 10 rebounds.
• Senior Chris Mullins scored 12 points and had a game-high four assists.
• Sophomore Quincy Olivari had 12 points, six rebounds, and a season-high tying three assists.
• Sophomore Travis Evee scored 12 points and had six rebounds.

Next Up
Rice closes its homestand this Saturday, Jan. 8, when it hosts West Division leader UAB. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and it will be televised by Stadium.

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