Saturday, January 28
Houston, TX
2 p.m.
Rice University
-156,64 CUSA
52
vs
70
UAB
-157,65 CUSA
1
2
F
UAB
33
37
70
Rice
15
37
52
Photo by: ©Maria Lysaker - Rice Athletics
Slow Start Dooms Rice Against UAB
1/28/2023 5:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — Rice got off to a slow start and could not recover, falling to UAB, 70-52, Saturday afternoon from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate, missing its first nine shots as UAB scored the first seven points. Quincy Olivari got the Owls on the board with a layup 7:30 into the game. The Blazers scored nine of the next 11 points before Olivari hit a three-pointer. But Rice missed seven of its next eight shots as UAB went on a 15-3 run to take its largest lead of the half, 31-10, with 3:03 to play. The teams traded baskets, but Alem Huseinovic hit a three to send Rice into halftime trailing, 33-15.
After UAB opened the second half making one-of-two free throws, the teams traded baskets. The Owls made four of its first six shots, but the Blazers answered each time. Cameron Sheffield made a three, and following a UAB jumper, Olivari added a triple of his own to cut the deficit to 48-33 with 12:30 to play. However, despite holding the Blazers without a basket in their next five possessions, Rice could not chip away at the lead, as UAB held the Owls at bay before pushing its lead to as many as 21.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"All the credit goes to UAB. That was kind of an old-fashioned butt-kicking. They were really energized and ready out of the gate. Our guys missed some opportunities early. We just couldn't get into an offensive flow. They sped us up a little bit. It was just an all-around great game by UAB and a well-deserved victory."
The Stats
Rice was held to just 33.3% (19-of-57) from the field and 30.8% (8-of-26) from three. It was also just 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the free throw line. UAB connected on 43.1% (25-of-58) from the floor and 42.9% (6-of-14) from three, and was 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the charity stripe. The Blazers also won the rebounding battle, 44-to-31.
Notes
• This was the 22nd meeting between Rice and UAB.
• G Quincy Olivari scored a team-high 18 points, his 18th straight double-figure scoring game, and grabbed four rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 12 points and had five rebounds.
• F Max Fiedler had eight points, a game-high 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
• With three blocks, Fiedler now has 85 in his career, passing Arsalan Kazemi (2009-12) and Alex Bougaieff (1996-2000) for third-place on the school all-time list.
Next Up
Rice begins a stretch of three out of four road games when it travels to Ruston, La., next Thursday, Feb. 2, to face Louisiana Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate, missing its first nine shots as UAB scored the first seven points. Quincy Olivari got the Owls on the board with a layup 7:30 into the game. The Blazers scored nine of the next 11 points before Olivari hit a three-pointer. But Rice missed seven of its next eight shots as UAB went on a 15-3 run to take its largest lead of the half, 31-10, with 3:03 to play. The teams traded baskets, but Alem Huseinovic hit a three to send Rice into halftime trailing, 33-15.
After UAB opened the second half making one-of-two free throws, the teams traded baskets. The Owls made four of its first six shots, but the Blazers answered each time. Cameron Sheffield made a three, and following a UAB jumper, Olivari added a triple of his own to cut the deficit to 48-33 with 12:30 to play. However, despite holding the Blazers without a basket in their next five possessions, Rice could not chip away at the lead, as UAB held the Owls at bay before pushing its lead to as many as 21.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"All the credit goes to UAB. That was kind of an old-fashioned butt-kicking. They were really energized and ready out of the gate. Our guys missed some opportunities early. We just couldn't get into an offensive flow. They sped us up a little bit. It was just an all-around great game by UAB and a well-deserved victory."
The Stats
Rice was held to just 33.3% (19-of-57) from the field and 30.8% (8-of-26) from three. It was also just 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the free throw line. UAB connected on 43.1% (25-of-58) from the floor and 42.9% (6-of-14) from three, and was 14-of-19 (73.7%) from the charity stripe. The Blazers also won the rebounding battle, 44-to-31.
Notes
• This was the 22nd meeting between Rice and UAB.
• G Quincy Olivari scored a team-high 18 points, his 18th straight double-figure scoring game, and grabbed four rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 12 points and had five rebounds.
• F Max Fiedler had eight points, a game-high 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.
• With three blocks, Fiedler now has 85 in his career, passing Arsalan Kazemi (2009-12) and Alex Bougaieff (1996-2000) for third-place on the school all-time list.
Next Up
Rice begins a stretch of three out of four road games when it travels to Ruston, La., next Thursday, Feb. 2, to face Louisiana Tech. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
UAB
Rice
FG%
.431
.333
3FG%
.429
.308
FT%
.737
.857
RB
44
31
TO
11
13
STL
12
7
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
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