Thursday, January 19
Denton, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
-145,53 CUSA
72
at
60
North Texas
-155,63 CUSA
1
2
F
Rice
28
44
72
North Texas
31
29
60
Late Run Propels Rice to 72-60 Victory at North Texas
1/19/2023 10:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DENTON, Texas — Rice shot 60.0% in the second half and outscored North Texas, 18-6 in the final 6:26 as it won its fourth straight road game, 72-60, Thursday night from the Super Pit.
The Story
North Texas jumped out early, making five of its first six shots while Rice was held to just one of its first six in falling behind, 13-2, four minutes into the game. But the Owls began to chip away. Three straight baskets by Max Fiedler and Quincy Olivari cut the deficit to five. The teams then traded baskets over the next two minutes. With UNT holding a 20-12 lead, Rice went on a 9-0 run, capped off by a layup from Olivari that gave it its first lead of the game, 21-20, with five minutes to play in the half. After North Texas regained the lead, layups by Fiedler and Alem Huseinovic gave the Owls a 25-21 lead. The Mean Green hit back-to-back threes, and Cameron Sheffield answered with a three of his own to tie it at 28. But Tylor Perry's three with two seconds left gave North Texas a 31-28 lead at the break.
The teams battled throughout the second half. Olivari tied the game at 36, but three, threes by the Mean Green gave them a 45-40 lead. Olivari made two free throws, but Kai Huntsberry converted a three-point play as they took their largest lead of the half, 48-42, with 48-42 to play. But the Owls came right back, as Travis Evee made three free throws and Sheffield hit a three to tie it. After North Texas retook the lead, Fiedler made back-to-back layups. But with 7:02 remaining and the game tied at 54, the Owls used their defense to pull away, holding UNT without a point over the next 5:18 as it went on an 11-0 run. Rice then made six of seven free throws to close out the win.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"I don't think (we've had a bigger win). Not for what (North Texas has been). They've been the gold standard. To come here and defend like we did for the last 36 minutes. Our kids, I've said it all year, they're different. They're mature, tougher and more connected. It's just amazing the level of buy-in that 1-through-16 has. I'm really happy for them. It was a tremendous effort."
The Stats
Rice connected on 53.2% (25-of-47) from the field and 42.9% (3-of-7) from three. It was also 19-of-21 (90.5%) from the free throw line. North Texas was held to 37.5% (21-of-56) from the floor but was 37.0% (10-of-27) from three. The Owls also won the rebounding battle, 31-to-29.
Notes
• This was the 31st meeting between Rice and North Texas.
• It was Rice's first win at North Texas since 2016-17 and just its second ever.
• Rice shot at least 50.0% from the floor for the eighth time this year.
• The Owls have won four straight road conference games for the first time since a five-game streak in 2016-17.
• G Quincy Olivari led all players with 22 points, his 16th straight double-figure scoring game,
and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
• It was his fourth straight 20-point game and the 10th of his career.
• F Max Fiedler scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting with four rebounds and four assists.
• With four assists, Fiedler became the fifth player in school history with 100 assists in three straight seasons.
• G Travis Evee scored 10 points on 10-of-11 from the free throw line and had a game-high five assists.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 10 points on three, three-pointers and added seven rebounds.
Next Up
Rice returns home next Thursday, January 26, when it hosts Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
North Texas jumped out early, making five of its first six shots while Rice was held to just one of its first six in falling behind, 13-2, four minutes into the game. But the Owls began to chip away. Three straight baskets by Max Fiedler and Quincy Olivari cut the deficit to five. The teams then traded baskets over the next two minutes. With UNT holding a 20-12 lead, Rice went on a 9-0 run, capped off by a layup from Olivari that gave it its first lead of the game, 21-20, with five minutes to play in the half. After North Texas regained the lead, layups by Fiedler and Alem Huseinovic gave the Owls a 25-21 lead. The Mean Green hit back-to-back threes, and Cameron Sheffield answered with a three of his own to tie it at 28. But Tylor Perry's three with two seconds left gave North Texas a 31-28 lead at the break.
The teams battled throughout the second half. Olivari tied the game at 36, but three, threes by the Mean Green gave them a 45-40 lead. Olivari made two free throws, but Kai Huntsberry converted a three-point play as they took their largest lead of the half, 48-42, with 48-42 to play. But the Owls came right back, as Travis Evee made three free throws and Sheffield hit a three to tie it. After North Texas retook the lead, Fiedler made back-to-back layups. But with 7:02 remaining and the game tied at 54, the Owls used their defense to pull away, holding UNT without a point over the next 5:18 as it went on an 11-0 run. Rice then made six of seven free throws to close out the win.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"I don't think (we've had a bigger win). Not for what (North Texas has been). They've been the gold standard. To come here and defend like we did for the last 36 minutes. Our kids, I've said it all year, they're different. They're mature, tougher and more connected. It's just amazing the level of buy-in that 1-through-16 has. I'm really happy for them. It was a tremendous effort."
The Stats
Rice connected on 53.2% (25-of-47) from the field and 42.9% (3-of-7) from three. It was also 19-of-21 (90.5%) from the free throw line. North Texas was held to 37.5% (21-of-56) from the floor but was 37.0% (10-of-27) from three. The Owls also won the rebounding battle, 31-to-29.
Notes
• This was the 31st meeting between Rice and North Texas.
• It was Rice's first win at North Texas since 2016-17 and just its second ever.
• Rice shot at least 50.0% from the floor for the eighth time this year.
• The Owls have won four straight road conference games for the first time since a five-game streak in 2016-17.
• G Quincy Olivari led all players with 22 points, his 16th straight double-figure scoring game,
and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
• It was his fourth straight 20-point game and the 10th of his career.
• F Max Fiedler scored 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting with four rebounds and four assists.
• With four assists, Fiedler became the fifth player in school history with 100 assists in three straight seasons.
• G Travis Evee scored 10 points on 10-of-11 from the free throw line and had a game-high five assists.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 10 points on three, three-pointers and added seven rebounds.
Next Up
Rice returns home next Thursday, January 26, when it hosts Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
UNT
FG%
.532
.375
3FG%
.429
.370
FT%
.905
.615
RB
31
29
TO
9
13
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
18
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
0
3FGM
0
FTM
10
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
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/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
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