Rice Earns Overtime Victory over Southern Miss on Senior Day

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HOUSTON — Rice placed five players in double-figures, coming back from a second half deficit to defeat Southern Miss, 77-72, in overtime on Senior Day, Saturday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Rice came out strong, hitting four of its first seven shots as it took a 9-2 lead in the first five minutes. But it made just one of its next seven shots as the Golden Eagles went on a 13-2 run to take a 15-11 lead. After trading three-pointers, Riley Abercrombie hit a three that sent the Owls on an 11-4 run that gave them a 25-22 lead with 7:14 to play. However, Rice went cold, missing its next eight shots as USM went on an 11-0 run to take its largest lead of the half, 33-25. But Rice closed the half with baskets by Max Fiedler and Carl Pierre as it entered halftime trailing, 33-29.

The second half began with the teams trading baskets through the first six minutes as the Owls stayed within three to five points most of the way. Chris Mullins made a layup, but Southern Miss answered with a layup and a Rashad Bolden three-pointer to its largest lead of the half at 48-40 with 12:17 to play. But the Owls responded. After Terrance McBride made two free throws, Travis Evee connected on three straight three-pointers in an 11-1 run to give the Owls its first lead since 25-22. Southern Miss regained the lead on a three-pointer and dunk. But, again, Rice was not deterred. McBride made a jumper before five straight points from Pierre. USM came right back, scoring five of its own to take a 59-58 lead with 3:24 to play. But a layup and triple by Evee gave the Owls a four-point lead. Wayln Napper converted a three-point play before Mullins made one-of-two free throws. The Golden Eagles tied the game at 64 with 7.7 seconds to play. Rice had a chance to win it in regulation, but Evee's three-point attempt was off the mark, sending the game to overtime.

Evee opened the extra period hitting his fifth three-pointer of the game. A Southern Miss layup made it a one-point game, but after Max Fiedler made one-of-two free throws, Mullins hit the biggest shot of the game, draining a three-pointer from the corner. Tyler Morman brought USM within 71-68 with 1:17 to play, but the Owls hit six-of-eight free throws to seal the victory.

The Stats
Rice connected on 38.7% (24-of-62) from the field, 30.0% from three (9-of-30), and 69.0% (20-of-29) from the free throw line. Southern Miss shot 47.0% (31-of-66) from the floor but just 26.3% (5-of-19) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Golden Eagles, 45-to-31.

What Scott Pera Had to Say
"I'm really proud of our seniors and really happy for Chris (Mullins). To hit that three and basically be the nail in the coffin, it's just fitting. He's been a four-year warrior. I'm glad to send those guys out with a win. You have to give credit to Southern Miss for the effort they put forth and it was a tremendous effort from our guys to keep battling and get the win."

Notes
• Rice improved to 15-13 on the season and 7-9 in Conference USA.
• Rice played an overtime game for the second time this year, moving to 2-0 in extra sessions.
• It was the first overtime game against a C-USA opponent since Feb. 23, 2019, at UTEP.
• Rice recorded 20 assists, the sixth time this year it had at least 20 helpers.
• Graduate student Carl Pierre recorded his second double-double of the year, scoring 17 points and tying a career-high with 10 rebounds.
• With two three-pointers, Pierre now has 84 on the year, passing Robert Johnson (1998-99) and Omar-Seli Mance (2002-03) for fifth-place on the school's season list.
• Sophomore Travis Evee scored 17 points on five three-pointers.
• With five three-pointers, Evee moved into a tie for eighth-place on the school single-season list with Egor Koulechov (2016-17) and Ako Adams (2019-20) with 81.
• Pierre and Evee are just the second duo in school history to each hit 80 three-pointers in a season.
• With a combined 165 threes, they also moved into second-place in school history for most by a duo in a season.
• Sophomore Max Fiedler recorded his seventh double-double of the year with 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds while adding five assists.
• It is the fourth time this year Rice has had two players record double-doubles in a game.
• Senior Chris Mullins scored 12 points and tied a season-high with seven rebounds.
• Graduate student Terrance McBride scored a season-high 10 points and added a career-high nine assists.

Next Up
Rice begins its final road trip of the regular season next Thursday, Mar. 3, when it travels to El Paso to face UTEP. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be televised by CBS Sports Network.

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