Friday, December 22
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
6-7,0-0AAC
67
vs
84
Louisiana
7-5,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
F
Louisiana
40
44
84
Rice
26
41
67
Slow Start Dooms Rice in Loss to Louisiana
12/22/2023 10:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — The Rice men's basketball team dug itself a hole it could not get out off, falling 84-67, to Louisiana in its non-conference finale, Friday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
The Owls struggles to start the game, making just one of its first 14 shots as Louisiana jumped out to a 20-5 lead through the first 10 minutes. Keanu Dawes then made a three and Max Fiedler converted a three-point play as he Owls scored eight of 10 points to pull within 22-13. But the Ragin' Cajuns made two straight threes in an 8-0 run to take its largest lead of the half at 30-13. Fiedler converted another three-point play to start an 8-3 Rice run. However, UL scored seven of the next 10 points before two Mekhi Mason free throws sent the Owls into halftime trailing, 40-26.
Rice started the second half strong, making five of its first six shots, including threes by Dawes and two by Alem Huseinovic to pull within, 48-42. But a 12-2 UL run pushed its lead to 60-44. Travis Evee then made two three-pointers and Huseinovic added another as the Owls cut the deficit to 62-53 with 8:56 remaining. The teams went back-and-forth over the next four and a half minutes before Rice scored seven of nine points to pull within 75-67 with 2:36 to play. But Rice was shut out the rest of the game as UL scored the final nine points.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 38.2% (21-of-55) from the field but hit 42.3% (11-of-26) from three. Louisiana connected on 49.2% (30-of-61) from the floor and 46.4% (13-of-28) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded by UL, 41-to-28.
Notes
• This was 12th meeting between Rice and Louisiana, with Rice holding a 7-5 lead in the series.
• In games played in Houston, the Owls are 4-2.
• Rice connected on 11 three-pointers, the third time this year it hit at least 10 threes.
• F Max Fiedler scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed five rebounds.
• It is his sixth double-figure scoring game of the year and 60th of his career.
• He also became the 25th player in school history with 1,200 career points.
• Fiedler also tied the school record for career games played with 129.
• F Keanu Dawes scored a season-high 18 points, his second double-figure scoring game of the year, and led the team with seven rebounds.
• He also connected on a season-high four three-pointers.
• G Travis Evee scored 11 points and had three assists.
• It was his 11th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 84th of his career.
• G Alem Huseinovic scored nine points on a season-high three, three-pointers.
• G Mekhi Mason scored eight points and had a team-high four assists.
Next Up
Rice will play its inaugural American Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, Jan. 3, when it travels to New Orleans, La., to face Tulane. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
The Story
The Owls struggles to start the game, making just one of its first 14 shots as Louisiana jumped out to a 20-5 lead through the first 10 minutes. Keanu Dawes then made a three and Max Fiedler converted a three-point play as he Owls scored eight of 10 points to pull within 22-13. But the Ragin' Cajuns made two straight threes in an 8-0 run to take its largest lead of the half at 30-13. Fiedler converted another three-point play to start an 8-3 Rice run. However, UL scored seven of the next 10 points before two Mekhi Mason free throws sent the Owls into halftime trailing, 40-26.
Rice started the second half strong, making five of its first six shots, including threes by Dawes and two by Alem Huseinovic to pull within, 48-42. But a 12-2 UL run pushed its lead to 60-44. Travis Evee then made two three-pointers and Huseinovic added another as the Owls cut the deficit to 62-53 with 8:56 remaining. The teams went back-and-forth over the next four and a half minutes before Rice scored seven of nine points to pull within 75-67 with 2:36 to play. But Rice was shut out the rest of the game as UL scored the final nine points.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 38.2% (21-of-55) from the field but hit 42.3% (11-of-26) from three. Louisiana connected on 49.2% (30-of-61) from the floor and 46.4% (13-of-28) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded by UL, 41-to-28.
Notes
• This was 12th meeting between Rice and Louisiana, with Rice holding a 7-5 lead in the series.
• In games played in Houston, the Owls are 4-2.
• Rice connected on 11 three-pointers, the third time this year it hit at least 10 threes.
• F Max Fiedler scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed five rebounds.
• It is his sixth double-figure scoring game of the year and 60th of his career.
• He also became the 25th player in school history with 1,200 career points.
• Fiedler also tied the school record for career games played with 129.
• F Keanu Dawes scored a season-high 18 points, his second double-figure scoring game of the year, and led the team with seven rebounds.
• He also connected on a season-high four three-pointers.
• G Travis Evee scored 11 points and had three assists.
• It was his 11th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 84th of his career.
• G Alem Huseinovic scored nine points on a season-high three, three-pointers.
• G Mekhi Mason scored eight points and had a team-high four assists.
Next Up
Rice will play its inaugural American Athletic Conference game on Wednesday, Jan. 3, when it travels to New Orleans, La., to face Tulane. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
Team Stats
LA
Rice
FG%
.492
.382
3FG%
.464
.423
FT%
.786
.778
RB
41
28
TO
9
12
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
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