Saturday, February 11
Miami, FL
6 p.m.
Rice University
-169,77 CUSA
85
at
78
FIU
-1313,78 CUSA
1
2
F
Rice
41
44
85
FIU
40
38
78
Olivari Sets Rice Record in 85-78 Victory at FIU
2/11/2023 9:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MIAMI, Fla. — Quincy Olivari scored a game-high 28 points and hit six three-pointers to set the school record for career threes as Rice defeated FIU, 85-78, Saturday night from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Story
Rice came out strong to start the game, scoring the first eight points behind a pair of Travis Evee three-pointers. After FIU cut it to 8-6, Rice scored 10 of the next 15 points to take an 18-11 lead. But the Panthers went on an 8-0 run, taking its first lead at 19-18, with 10:54 remaining in the half. The Owls scored five straight, but a 12-5 FIU run gave it a 31-28 lead. Rice regained the advantage on a Max Fiedler three-point play and a Jake Lieppert three. FIU went on a 9-3 run. But Fiedler made a layup and Evee hit a jumper just before the buzzer to send Rice into halftime with a 41-40 lead.
Olivari opened the second half with a three-pointer, but back-to-back baskets gave FIU a one-point lead. But with the game tied at 47, the Owls turned up the offense. After Fiedler made a layup, Olivari and Cameron Sheffield hi back-to-back threes. The Panthers made layup, but Olivari hit a triple and Fielder made one-of-two free throws. A dunk by FIU cut it to eight, but Olivari drove in for a layup and then hit a three. FIU converted a four-point play, but Rice got baskets by Mekhi Mason and Andrew Akuchie, followed by Olivari's sixth three-pointer of the game as the Owls took their largest lead of the game, 71-55, with 8:44 to play. The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes. But FIU wouldn't go away, going on a 13-2 run to pull with 79-76 1:22 to play. But Rice closed it out by making six of seven free throws.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"Our three leaders, they carried us. On the road, that's what you've got to lean on. We had a recipe tonight to be successful and our kids executed it almost to a 'T.' I'm really proud of that. I knew we could get shots, but we got good shots, and good players made good plays."
The Stats
Rice connected on 49.2% (30-of-61) from the field and 43.8% (14-of-32). FIU connected on 54.1% (33-of-61) from the floor but just 25.0% (4-of-16) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Panthers, 37-to-26.
Notes
• Rice and FIU met for the 11th time overall.
• Rice scored 80 points for the second straight game and the 14th time this year.
• Rice connected on 14 three-pointers, the 11th time this season it made at least 10 three-pointers.
• G Quincy Olivari had game-highs of 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
• It was his 13th 20-point game of the season, 22nd straight double-figure scoring game.
• With six three-pointers, Olivari now has 230 in his career to set the Rice career three-point record.
• With 28 points, Olivari passed Mike Wilks (1997-2001) and tied Dana Hardy (1988-92) for 15th-place in school history.
• G Travis Evee scored 24 points, his eighth 20-point game of the year, and had three assists.
• Evee also went over 1,200 points at Rice and 1,600 points in his career.
• F Max Fiedler scored 14 points and had seven rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield also added six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Thursday, Feb. 16, when it hosts UTSA. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice came out strong to start the game, scoring the first eight points behind a pair of Travis Evee three-pointers. After FIU cut it to 8-6, Rice scored 10 of the next 15 points to take an 18-11 lead. But the Panthers went on an 8-0 run, taking its first lead at 19-18, with 10:54 remaining in the half. The Owls scored five straight, but a 12-5 FIU run gave it a 31-28 lead. Rice regained the advantage on a Max Fiedler three-point play and a Jake Lieppert three. FIU went on a 9-3 run. But Fiedler made a layup and Evee hit a jumper just before the buzzer to send Rice into halftime with a 41-40 lead.
Olivari opened the second half with a three-pointer, but back-to-back baskets gave FIU a one-point lead. But with the game tied at 47, the Owls turned up the offense. After Fiedler made a layup, Olivari and Cameron Sheffield hi back-to-back threes. The Panthers made layup, but Olivari hit a triple and Fielder made one-of-two free throws. A dunk by FIU cut it to eight, but Olivari drove in for a layup and then hit a three. FIU converted a four-point play, but Rice got baskets by Mekhi Mason and Andrew Akuchie, followed by Olivari's sixth three-pointer of the game as the Owls took their largest lead of the game, 71-55, with 8:44 to play. The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes. But FIU wouldn't go away, going on a 13-2 run to pull with 79-76 1:22 to play. But Rice closed it out by making six of seven free throws.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"Our three leaders, they carried us. On the road, that's what you've got to lean on. We had a recipe tonight to be successful and our kids executed it almost to a 'T.' I'm really proud of that. I knew we could get shots, but we got good shots, and good players made good plays."
The Stats
Rice connected on 49.2% (30-of-61) from the field and 43.8% (14-of-32). FIU connected on 54.1% (33-of-61) from the floor but just 25.0% (4-of-16) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Panthers, 37-to-26.
Notes
• Rice and FIU met for the 11th time overall.
• Rice scored 80 points for the second straight game and the 14th time this year.
• Rice connected on 14 three-pointers, the 11th time this season it made at least 10 three-pointers.
• G Quincy Olivari had game-highs of 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
• It was his 13th 20-point game of the season, 22nd straight double-figure scoring game.
• With six three-pointers, Olivari now has 230 in his career to set the Rice career three-point record.
• With 28 points, Olivari passed Mike Wilks (1997-2001) and tied Dana Hardy (1988-92) for 15th-place in school history.
• G Travis Evee scored 24 points, his eighth 20-point game of the year, and had three assists.
• Evee also went over 1,200 points at Rice and 1,600 points in his career.
• F Max Fiedler scored 14 points and had seven rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield also added six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Thursday, Feb. 16, when it hosts UTSA. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
FIU
FG%
.492
.541
3FG%
.438
.250
FT%
.611
.889
RB
37
26
TO
10
7
STL
4
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
28
FGM
10
3FGM
6
FTM
2
Pts
24
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
6
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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G/F
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