Thursday, January 26
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
-155,63 CUSA
65
vs
63
Charlotte
-138,46 CUSA
1
2
F
Charlotte
28
35
63
Rice
27
38
65
Olivari Leads Rice to 65-63 Win over Charlotte
1/26/2023 10:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON, Texas — Quincy Olivari recorded his first double-double of the year, scoring 26 and grabbing 10 rebounds, including hitting two free throws with 1.8 seconds left to lift Rice over Charlotte, 65-63, Thursday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
The game began with the teams going back-and-forth. Rice made four of its first seven shots to take a 10-9 lead four minutes into the game. After a layup by Charlotte, Mekhi Mason hit one himself and Olivari made two free throws. But the 49ers scored seven straight points to take an 18-14 lead midway through the first half. The Owls came right back, going on an 8-2 run to take a 22-20 lead. After a basket by Charlotte, Travis Evee hit a three to give Rice a 25-22 lead with 6:43 to play. But Rice was held to just two points the rest of the way as Charlotte went into halftime with a 28-27 lead.
They traded baskets through the first three minutes. With the game tied at 32, Olivari hit a three-pointer that sent Rice on a 13-0 run. After a Charlotte basket, Mason and Cameron Sheffield hit back-to-back layups to give the Owls their largest lead of the game, 49-34, with 11:25 to play. However, Rice began to turn the ball over as the 49ers went on an 18-4 run to pull within 54-52. Rice stretched its lead back to nine with a 7-0 run with 3:04 remaining. But, Charlotte scored eight of the next nine points over the next two minutes. Mason made one-of-two free throws to make it a three-point game. But Aly Khalifa hit a three to tie the game at 63. However, with 1.8 seconds left, Olivari was fouled and made both free throws. Charlotte attempted a pass the length of the court, but Max Fiedler stepped in front to seal the victory.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"It was another incredible game here at home. A lot of credit goes to Charlotte. They hit big shots. Our guys made sure we got the last shot so we could get to overtime or the win. Quincy (Olivari) got fouled and knocked (the free throws) down and Max (Fiedler) read the play at the end. We got out of here with a win. It doesn't matter how you do it, so that you do it. I'm just really proud of our guys."
The Stats
Rice connected on 46.9% (23-of-49) from the field and 34.8% (8-of-23) from three. It was also 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the free throw line. Charlotte hit 46.6% (27-of-58) from the floor and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three, but was just two-of-three from the charity stripe. The 49ers also won the rebounding battle, 34-to-26.
Notes
• This was the 16th meeting between Rice and Charlotte.
• Rice holds a 10-6 advantage in the series and is 5-4 in Houston.
• The Owls are 15-5 for the first time since 2003-04.
• G Quincy Olivari recorded his first double-double of the year, leading all players with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
• It was his 17th straight double-figure scoring game, his fifth straight 20-point game and his 11th of the season.
• G Mekhi Mason scored 15 points on 10-of-11 from the free throw line and had a game-high five assists.
• F Max Fiedler had five assists, a season-high five blocks and three steals.
• With five assists, Fiedler passed Jason McKrieth (2001-05) for 10th-place on Rice's all-time list with 334.
• With five blocks, Fiedler now has 82 career to tie Alex Bougaieff (1996-2000) for fourth-place on the school all-time list.
Next Up
Rice closes its homestand this Saturday, January 28, when it hosts UAB. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
The game began with the teams going back-and-forth. Rice made four of its first seven shots to take a 10-9 lead four minutes into the game. After a layup by Charlotte, Mekhi Mason hit one himself and Olivari made two free throws. But the 49ers scored seven straight points to take an 18-14 lead midway through the first half. The Owls came right back, going on an 8-2 run to take a 22-20 lead. After a basket by Charlotte, Travis Evee hit a three to give Rice a 25-22 lead with 6:43 to play. But Rice was held to just two points the rest of the way as Charlotte went into halftime with a 28-27 lead.
They traded baskets through the first three minutes. With the game tied at 32, Olivari hit a three-pointer that sent Rice on a 13-0 run. After a Charlotte basket, Mason and Cameron Sheffield hit back-to-back layups to give the Owls their largest lead of the game, 49-34, with 11:25 to play. However, Rice began to turn the ball over as the 49ers went on an 18-4 run to pull within 54-52. Rice stretched its lead back to nine with a 7-0 run with 3:04 remaining. But, Charlotte scored eight of the next nine points over the next two minutes. Mason made one-of-two free throws to make it a three-point game. But Aly Khalifa hit a three to tie the game at 63. However, with 1.8 seconds left, Olivari was fouled and made both free throws. Charlotte attempted a pass the length of the court, but Max Fiedler stepped in front to seal the victory.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"It was another incredible game here at home. A lot of credit goes to Charlotte. They hit big shots. Our guys made sure we got the last shot so we could get to overtime or the win. Quincy (Olivari) got fouled and knocked (the free throws) down and Max (Fiedler) read the play at the end. We got out of here with a win. It doesn't matter how you do it, so that you do it. I'm just really proud of our guys."
The Stats
Rice connected on 46.9% (23-of-49) from the field and 34.8% (8-of-23) from three. It was also 11-of-14 (78.6%) from the free throw line. Charlotte hit 46.6% (27-of-58) from the floor and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three, but was just two-of-three from the charity stripe. The 49ers also won the rebounding battle, 34-to-26.
Notes
• This was the 16th meeting between Rice and Charlotte.
• Rice holds a 10-6 advantage in the series and is 5-4 in Houston.
• The Owls are 15-5 for the first time since 2003-04.
• G Quincy Olivari recorded his first double-double of the year, leading all players with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
• It was his 17th straight double-figure scoring game, his fifth straight 20-point game and his 11th of the season.
• G Mekhi Mason scored 15 points on 10-of-11 from the free throw line and had a game-high five assists.
• F Max Fiedler had five assists, a season-high five blocks and three steals.
• With five assists, Fiedler passed Jason McKrieth (2001-05) for 10th-place on Rice's all-time list with 334.
• With five blocks, Fiedler now has 82 career to tie Alex Bougaieff (1996-2000) for fourth-place on the school all-time list.
Next Up
Rice closes its homestand this Saturday, January 28, when it hosts UAB. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
CLT
Rice
FG%
.466
.469
3FG%
.333
.348
FT%
.667
.786
RB
34
26
TO
12
10
STL
7
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
26
FGM
8
3FGM
4
FTM
6
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's BasketballRice Men's Basketball Team Impact Signing
Friday, March 28
Rice MBB vs. Wichita State Postgame Presser
Friday, March 07
Rice vs. Tulsa Postgame Press Conference 2/22/25
Saturday, February 22
MBB Postgame Presser vs. UAB 2/19/25
Thursday, February 20