Wednesday, November 22
Henderson, NV
approx. 8:45 p.m.
Rice University
1-4,0-0AAC
56
vs
90
New Mexico
4-1,0-0Mountain West
1
2
F
Rice
33
23
56
New Mexico
46
44
90
Rice Falls to New Mexico in Ball Dawgs Classic
11/22/2023 11:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HENDERSON, Nev. — New Mexico used a 17-3 midway through the second half to turn a nine-point deficit into a 90-56 defeat in the second game of the Ball Dawgs Classic, Wednesday night from the Dollar Loan Center.
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate as New Mexico jumped out to a 9-2 lead. After trading baskets, the Lobos went on a 9-2 run, taking a 21-7 lead through the first eight minutes. Back-to-back three-pointers by Noah Shelby and Travis Evee helped the Owls score seven straight points before UNM pushed its lead back to 11. But, Mekhi Mason made two free throws as Rice went on an 8-2 run to pull within 27-22 with 6:39 left in the first half, forcing a New Mexico timeout. The Lobos, however, came out of the timeout and went on a 13-2 run, taking its largest lead of the half, 40-24. The teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the half as Rice went into the break trailing, 46-33.
After UNM opened the second half with a basket, Rice got back-to- three-pointers from Mason and Keanu Dawes in a 7-0 run that cut the deficit 48-40. Two straight baskets push New Mexico's lead to 12. But after the teams traded baskets, Mason hit a step-back jumper to make it a 54-45 game. The Lobos then missed nine straight shots. However, Rice could not take advantage, missing eight-of-10 shots. UNM then used a 17-3 run over the next 3:33 to pull away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 34.0% (18-of-53) from the field and 28.0% (7-of-28) from three. New Mexico connected on 50.7% (36-of-71) from the floor but just 27.8% (5-of-18) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded, 42-to-30.
Notes
• This was ninth meeting between Rice and New Mexico, with the Lobos leading the series, 7-2.
• It was also the second meeting on a neutral court. Rice fell to 0-2 at neutral sites.
• G Noah Shelby made his first career start.
• G Mekhi Mason led the Owls with 17 points, his third double-figure game of the year and the 18th of his career.
• Travis Evee scored 15 points. It was his fifth double-figure scoring game of the year and the 99th of his career.
• Max Fiedler scored nine points and had game-highs of seven rebounds and three assists.
Next Up
Rice will play UC-Irvine in the final game of the Ball Dawgs Classic in Henderson, Nev on Friday, Nov. 24. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 3:15 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by FloHoops.
The Story
Rice struggled out of the gate as New Mexico jumped out to a 9-2 lead. After trading baskets, the Lobos went on a 9-2 run, taking a 21-7 lead through the first eight minutes. Back-to-back three-pointers by Noah Shelby and Travis Evee helped the Owls score seven straight points before UNM pushed its lead back to 11. But, Mekhi Mason made two free throws as Rice went on an 8-2 run to pull within 27-22 with 6:39 left in the first half, forcing a New Mexico timeout. The Lobos, however, came out of the timeout and went on a 13-2 run, taking its largest lead of the half, 40-24. The teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the half as Rice went into the break trailing, 46-33.
After UNM opened the second half with a basket, Rice got back-to- three-pointers from Mason and Keanu Dawes in a 7-0 run that cut the deficit 48-40. Two straight baskets push New Mexico's lead to 12. But after the teams traded baskets, Mason hit a step-back jumper to make it a 54-45 game. The Lobos then missed nine straight shots. However, Rice could not take advantage, missing eight-of-10 shots. UNM then used a 17-3 run over the next 3:33 to pull away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 34.0% (18-of-53) from the field and 28.0% (7-of-28) from three. New Mexico connected on 50.7% (36-of-71) from the floor but just 27.8% (5-of-18) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded, 42-to-30.
Notes
• This was ninth meeting between Rice and New Mexico, with the Lobos leading the series, 7-2.
• It was also the second meeting on a neutral court. Rice fell to 0-2 at neutral sites.
• G Noah Shelby made his first career start.
• G Mekhi Mason led the Owls with 17 points, his third double-figure game of the year and the 18th of his career.
• Travis Evee scored 15 points. It was his fifth double-figure scoring game of the year and the 99th of his career.
• Max Fiedler scored nine points and had game-highs of seven rebounds and three assists.
Next Up
Rice will play UC-Irvine in the final game of the Ball Dawgs Classic in Henderson, Nev on Friday, Nov. 24. Tip-off is scheduled for approximately 3:15 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by FloHoops.
Team Stats
Rice
UNM
FG%
.340
.507
3FG%
.250
.278
FT%
.722
.867
RB
30
42
TO
17
7
STL
5
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
5
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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