Saturday, December 16
Natchitoches, LA
2 p.m.
Rice University
5-6,0-0AAC
76
at
51
Northwestern State
1-10,0-0Southland
1
2
F
Rice
34
42
76
Northwestern St.
24
27
51
Photo by: Chris Reich-NSU Photographic Services
Rice Uses Balanced Scoring to Defeat Northwestern State, 76-51
12/16/2023 5:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NATCHITOCHES, La. — Ten players scored for Rice and the Owls held Northwestern State to 37.3% as they defeated the Demons, 76-51, Saturday afternoon at Prather Coliseum.
The Story
The Owls started slow, missing their first seven shots before Travis Evee converted a three-point play. After trading baskets, Sam Alajiki and Noah Shelby made jumpers to tie the game at nine. After Northwestern State took a four-point lead, Anthony Selden and Mekhi Mason made back-to-back three-pointers to key a 10-2 run and give Rice a 19-15 lead. NSU cut the deficit to two, but Mason's second three-pointer of the half sent the Owls on a 9-0 run to take its largest lead of the half, 28-17, with 2:31 to play. The teams traded baskets the rest of the half, and after the Demons cut the lead to eight, Mason hit a jumper before the buzzer to send Rice into halftime with a 34-24 lead.
Evee began the second half with a three as Rice opened on a 13-2 run, forcing a Northwestern State timeout. After two NSU baskets, Noah Shelby hit a three to send the Owls on a 7-0 run. Three straight baskets brought the Demons within 54-36. But, back-to-back baskets by Max Fiedler and Keanu Dawes pushed the lead back to 22. Rice would extend its lead to as many as 26.
The Stats
Rice connected on 50.8 (33-of-65) from the field and 30.4% (7-of-23) from three. Northwestern State was held to just 37.3% (22-of-59) from the floor and 10.0% (2-of-20) from three. The Owls also outrebounded NSU, 45-to-29.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"We're really carrying things over right now from the game plan and in practice, on to the court defensively. This team has really taken a good turn defensively. They're taking pride in it. They're not wasting possessions. I was really proud of our overall effort and production defensively. Offensively, in the second half, we made layups that we missed in the first half. That was the difference. Any road win is a good win and I'm proud of the team."
Notes
• This was 11th meeting between Rice and Northwestern State, with Rice holding a 11-0 lead in the series.
• The 11-0 mark is Rice's longest active unbeaten streak against a Division I opponent.
• In games played in Natchitoches, the Owls are 3-0.
• The 25-point victory was Rice's largest on the road since defeating UTEP, 91-63, on Jan. 18, 2003.
• Rice connected on 50.8% from the field, the fourth time this year it made at least 50.0% from the floor.
• F Max Fiedler led all players with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
• It is his fifth double-figure scoring game of the year and 59th of his career.
• G Mekhi Mason scored 14 points and had four rebounds.
• It is his eighth double-figure scoring game of the year and the 23rd of his career.
• G Travis Evee scored eight points and had five rebounds.
• F Keanu Dawes scored seven points and tied a season-high with eight rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will close out its non-conference schedule with a pair of home games, beginning next Wednesday, Dec. 20, against Prairie View A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
The Owls started slow, missing their first seven shots before Travis Evee converted a three-point play. After trading baskets, Sam Alajiki and Noah Shelby made jumpers to tie the game at nine. After Northwestern State took a four-point lead, Anthony Selden and Mekhi Mason made back-to-back three-pointers to key a 10-2 run and give Rice a 19-15 lead. NSU cut the deficit to two, but Mason's second three-pointer of the half sent the Owls on a 9-0 run to take its largest lead of the half, 28-17, with 2:31 to play. The teams traded baskets the rest of the half, and after the Demons cut the lead to eight, Mason hit a jumper before the buzzer to send Rice into halftime with a 34-24 lead.
Evee began the second half with a three as Rice opened on a 13-2 run, forcing a Northwestern State timeout. After two NSU baskets, Noah Shelby hit a three to send the Owls on a 7-0 run. Three straight baskets brought the Demons within 54-36. But, back-to-back baskets by Max Fiedler and Keanu Dawes pushed the lead back to 22. Rice would extend its lead to as many as 26.
The Stats
Rice connected on 50.8 (33-of-65) from the field and 30.4% (7-of-23) from three. Northwestern State was held to just 37.3% (22-of-59) from the floor and 10.0% (2-of-20) from three. The Owls also outrebounded NSU, 45-to-29.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"We're really carrying things over right now from the game plan and in practice, on to the court defensively. This team has really taken a good turn defensively. They're taking pride in it. They're not wasting possessions. I was really proud of our overall effort and production defensively. Offensively, in the second half, we made layups that we missed in the first half. That was the difference. Any road win is a good win and I'm proud of the team."
Notes
• This was 11th meeting between Rice and Northwestern State, with Rice holding a 11-0 lead in the series.
• The 11-0 mark is Rice's longest active unbeaten streak against a Division I opponent.
• In games played in Natchitoches, the Owls are 3-0.
• The 25-point victory was Rice's largest on the road since defeating UTEP, 91-63, on Jan. 18, 2003.
• Rice connected on 50.8% from the field, the fourth time this year it made at least 50.0% from the floor.
• F Max Fiedler led all players with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
• It is his fifth double-figure scoring game of the year and 59th of his career.
• G Mekhi Mason scored 14 points and had four rebounds.
• It is his eighth double-figure scoring game of the year and the 23rd of his career.
• G Travis Evee scored eight points and had five rebounds.
• F Keanu Dawes scored seven points and tied a season-high with eight rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will close out its non-conference schedule with a pair of home games, beginning next Wednesday, Dec. 20, against Prairie View A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
NW
FG%
.508
.373
3FG%
.304
.100
FT%
.429
.500
RB
45
29
TO
10
10
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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