Saturday, December 31
El Paso, TX
3 p.m.
Rice University
-113,21 CUSA
72
at
67
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UTEP
-86,12 CUSA
1
2
OT 1
F
Rice
32
30
10
72
UTEP
25
37
5
67
Photo by: Maria Lysaker
Rice Outlasts UTEP in Overtime, 72-67
12/31/2022 8:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EL PASO, Texas — In a back-and-forth affair that saw both teams make big runs, Rice held off UTEP in overtime, 72-67, Saturday afternoon from the Don Haskins Center.
The Story
UTEP scored the first five points, but three straight baskets gave Rice an early lead. After the Miners converted a three-point play, the teams traded baskets over the next three minutes. UTEP then got two straight baskets, taking their largest lead of the game, 20-15, with 8:29 to play in the half. However, Rice stepped up its defense. UTEP missed six straight shots while turning the ball over six times as the Mekhi Mason scored eight points in a 16-0 Owls run over the next six minutes to take their largest lead of the half, 31-20. But the Miners scored five of the final six points, sending Rice into halftime with a 32-25 lead.
The second half began with Rice scoring seven of the first 10 points. After trading baskets, the Owls went on a 7-2 run, capped off by baskets from Quincy Olivari and Max Fiedler, as they grabbed their largest lead of the game, 49-34, with 11:34 to play. But in their next seven possessions, Rice turned the ball over four times, allowing the Miners to go on a 12-0 run and pull within three points. The Owls came right back. Olivari and Travis Evee made back-to-back three-pointers to send them on an 11-2 run and take a 60-48 lead with 3:23 remaining. But Rice made just one field goal the rest of the half, as UTEP went on an 8-0 run. After Mason tipped in Sheffield's miss to give Rice a six-point lead, the Miners made a three-pointer, and following a Rice turnover, cut the deficit to one. Evee had his shot blocked, and UTEP had a chance to win the game when Cameron Sheffield fouled Calvin Solomon with 1.1 seconds to play. Solomon made the first to tie the game, but missed the second, sending it to overtime tied at 62.
The teams traded possessions through the first minute and a half of overtime. Kevin Kalu gave UTEP the lead, but a three-pointer by Olivari followed by a putback from Fiedler put the Owls ahead, 67-64. The Miners cut the lead to one on a layup, but Sheffield and Fielder made three-of-four free throws. Kalu made it a three-point game with a minute left. After the teams traded possessions, Olivari was fouled, making both free throws with 14 seconds left to clinch the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 38.1% (24-of-63) from the field and 29.6% (8-of-27) from three. UTEP was held to 40.0% (28-of-65) from the floor and 19.2% (5-of-26) from three. Both teams had 44 rebounds.
Notes
• This was the 45th meeting between Rice and UTEP.
• The Owls are 15-30 in the series and 6-18 in El Paso.
• Rice has won five straight games and 10 of its last 11.
• Rice has started 2-1 in Conference play for the third straight year.
• Rice improved to 1-1 in overtime this year.
• The Owls swept a road conference series for the first time since Feb. 6-8, 2020, at UAB and Middle Tennessee.
• G Mekhi Mason led all players with 19 points and added five rebounds and four steals.
• F Max Fiedler recorded his third straight double-double and fourth of the season, scoring 14 points while grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield recorded his first career double-double, scoring 11 points while pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds.
• It was Sheffield's second game this year with at least 15 rebounds.
• G Quincy Olivari scored 13 points, his 11th straight double-figure scoring game.
• G Travis Evee scored 11 points and had a team-high three assists.
Next Up
Rice begins its Conference USA home schedule next Thursday, January 5, when it hosts Louisiana Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
UTEP scored the first five points, but three straight baskets gave Rice an early lead. After the Miners converted a three-point play, the teams traded baskets over the next three minutes. UTEP then got two straight baskets, taking their largest lead of the game, 20-15, with 8:29 to play in the half. However, Rice stepped up its defense. UTEP missed six straight shots while turning the ball over six times as the Mekhi Mason scored eight points in a 16-0 Owls run over the next six minutes to take their largest lead of the half, 31-20. But the Miners scored five of the final six points, sending Rice into halftime with a 32-25 lead.
The second half began with Rice scoring seven of the first 10 points. After trading baskets, the Owls went on a 7-2 run, capped off by baskets from Quincy Olivari and Max Fiedler, as they grabbed their largest lead of the game, 49-34, with 11:34 to play. But in their next seven possessions, Rice turned the ball over four times, allowing the Miners to go on a 12-0 run and pull within three points. The Owls came right back. Olivari and Travis Evee made back-to-back three-pointers to send them on an 11-2 run and take a 60-48 lead with 3:23 remaining. But Rice made just one field goal the rest of the half, as UTEP went on an 8-0 run. After Mason tipped in Sheffield's miss to give Rice a six-point lead, the Miners made a three-pointer, and following a Rice turnover, cut the deficit to one. Evee had his shot blocked, and UTEP had a chance to win the game when Cameron Sheffield fouled Calvin Solomon with 1.1 seconds to play. Solomon made the first to tie the game, but missed the second, sending it to overtime tied at 62.
The teams traded possessions through the first minute and a half of overtime. Kevin Kalu gave UTEP the lead, but a three-pointer by Olivari followed by a putback from Fiedler put the Owls ahead, 67-64. The Miners cut the lead to one on a layup, but Sheffield and Fielder made three-of-four free throws. Kalu made it a three-point game with a minute left. After the teams traded possessions, Olivari was fouled, making both free throws with 14 seconds left to clinch the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 38.1% (24-of-63) from the field and 29.6% (8-of-27) from three. UTEP was held to 40.0% (28-of-65) from the floor and 19.2% (5-of-26) from three. Both teams had 44 rebounds.
Notes
• This was the 45th meeting between Rice and UTEP.
• The Owls are 15-30 in the series and 6-18 in El Paso.
• Rice has won five straight games and 10 of its last 11.
• Rice has started 2-1 in Conference play for the third straight year.
• Rice improved to 1-1 in overtime this year.
• The Owls swept a road conference series for the first time since Feb. 6-8, 2020, at UAB and Middle Tennessee.
• G Mekhi Mason led all players with 19 points and added five rebounds and four steals.
• F Max Fiedler recorded his third straight double-double and fourth of the season, scoring 14 points while grabbing a season-high 15 rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield recorded his first career double-double, scoring 11 points while pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds.
• It was Sheffield's second game this year with at least 15 rebounds.
• G Quincy Olivari scored 13 points, his 11th straight double-figure scoring game.
• G Travis Evee scored 11 points and had a team-high three assists.
Next Up
Rice begins its Conference USA home schedule next Thursday, January 5, when it hosts Louisiana Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
UTEP
FG%
.381
.400
3FG%
.296
.192
FT%
.696
.500
RB
44
44
TO
18
18
STL
7
9
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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