Friday, November 24
Henderson, NV
approx. 3:15 p.m.
Rice University
1-5,0-0AAC
68
vs
83
UC Irvine
6-1,0-0Big West
1
2
F
UC Irvine
31
52
83
Rice
31
37
68
Rice Drops Ball Dawgs Classic Finale to UC-Irvine
11/24/2023 6:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HENDERSON, Nev. — Rice and UC-Irvine played an even game before the Anteaters pulled away in the final 10 minutes, 83-68, in the final game of the Ball Dawgs Classic, Friday afternoon from the Dollar Loan Center.
The Story
Rice came out firing, making seven of its first nine shots as it took a 15-11 lead through the first six minutes. UCI scored eight of the next 10 points, but the Owls responded with six straight to go back ahead, 23-19, with eight minutes remaining in the half. After the Anteaters scored six straight, Max Fiedler found Sam Alajiki underneath for a dunk and then made a layup. The teams then traded baskets the rest of the way as they went into halftime tied at 31.
The teams went back-and-forth to open the second half. The Owls scored six of eight points after Noah Shelby hit a runner in the paint to go up 40-37. But Rice missed its next seven shots, allowing UC-Irvine to go on an 8-0 run. Following a jumper from Alem Huseinovic and a Travis Evee three, Rice cut the deficit to six. However, UCI used a 12-4 run to pull away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 43.9% (25-of-57) from the field and 30.8% (4-of-13) from three. UC-Irvine connected on 51.7% (30-of-58) from the floor and 38.5% (5-of-13) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded, 41-to-27.
Notes
• This was first-ever meeting between Rice and UC-Irvine.
• G Travis Evee led the Owls with 17 points and a season-high six rebounds. It was his sixth double-figure scoring game of the year and the 100th of his career.
• G Mekhi Mason scored 16 points, his fourth double-figure game of the year and the 19th of his career.
• F Max Fiedler scored 12 points and had game-highs of nine rebounds and four assists. It was his third double-figure scoring game of the year and the 57th of his career.
• With nine rebounds, Fiedler became the fifth player in school history with 900 career rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Thursday, Nov. 30, when it hosts UT-Martin. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice came out firing, making seven of its first nine shots as it took a 15-11 lead through the first six minutes. UCI scored eight of the next 10 points, but the Owls responded with six straight to go back ahead, 23-19, with eight minutes remaining in the half. After the Anteaters scored six straight, Max Fiedler found Sam Alajiki underneath for a dunk and then made a layup. The teams then traded baskets the rest of the way as they went into halftime tied at 31.
The teams went back-and-forth to open the second half. The Owls scored six of eight points after Noah Shelby hit a runner in the paint to go up 40-37. But Rice missed its next seven shots, allowing UC-Irvine to go on an 8-0 run. Following a jumper from Alem Huseinovic and a Travis Evee three, Rice cut the deficit to six. However, UCI used a 12-4 run to pull away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 43.9% (25-of-57) from the field and 30.8% (4-of-13) from three. UC-Irvine connected on 51.7% (30-of-58) from the floor and 38.5% (5-of-13) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded, 41-to-27.
Notes
• This was first-ever meeting between Rice and UC-Irvine.
• G Travis Evee led the Owls with 17 points and a season-high six rebounds. It was his sixth double-figure scoring game of the year and the 100th of his career.
• G Mekhi Mason scored 16 points, his fourth double-figure game of the year and the 19th of his career.
• F Max Fiedler scored 12 points and had game-highs of nine rebounds and four assists. It was his third double-figure scoring game of the year and the 57th of his career.
• With nine rebounds, Fiedler became the fifth player in school history with 900 career rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Thursday, Nov. 30, when it hosts UT-Martin. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Irvine
Rice
FG%
.517
.439
3FG%
.385
.308
FT%
.750
.609
RB
42
27
TO
12
10
STL
4
3
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
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