Thursday, February 23
Birmingham, AL
6:30 p.m.
Rice University
-1711,89 CUSA
57
at
85
UAB
-218,126 CUSA
1
2
F
Rice
24
33
57
UAB
55
30
85
Photo by: © Maria Lysaker
Slow Start Dooms Rice at UAB
2/23/2023 9:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Rice was held to a season-low 32.3% in an 85-57 defeat at UAB, Thursday night at Bartow Arena.
The Story
Rice took an early 4-2 lead as Max Fiedler found Mekhi Mason and Travis Evee for baskets. But the Owls went 14 straight possessions without a bucket, missing eight shots while turning the ball over six times in a 27-2 UAB run. Rice scored five straight points, including a three-pointer by Quincy Olivari. But the Blazers went on a 21-2 run, taking its largest lead of the half, 50-13, with 3:04 to play. Evee then scored nine of Rice's final 11 points of the half as it went into halftime trailing 55-24.
The teams traded baskets to open the second half. After Andrew Akuchie made two free throws, UAB went on a 10-3 run to take its largest lead of the game, 70-32. Akuchie then made back-to-back dunks as the Owls went on a 14-3 run. But UAB scored seven straight to push their lead back to 80-46 before Rice closed the game on a 11-5 run.
The Stats
Rice was held to a season-low 32.3% (27-of-61) from the field and 21.4% (6-of-28). UAB was 46.9% (30-of-64) from the floor and 40.7% (11-of-27) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 50-to-33.
Notes
• Rice and UAB met for the second time this year and the 24th time overall.
• G Travis Evee scored a game-high 15 points
• Evee passed Connor Frizzelle (2008-12), Tom Myer (1968-71) and Bill Tom (1945-49) for 20th-place on Rice's all-time scoring list.
• G Quincy Olivari scored 10 points, his 25th straight doube-figure scoring game, and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 10 points.
• F Andrew Akuchie scored nine points.
Next Up
Rice will play its final road game of the regular season this Saturday, Feb. 25, when it travels to Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice took an early 4-2 lead as Max Fiedler found Mekhi Mason and Travis Evee for baskets. But the Owls went 14 straight possessions without a bucket, missing eight shots while turning the ball over six times in a 27-2 UAB run. Rice scored five straight points, including a three-pointer by Quincy Olivari. But the Blazers went on a 21-2 run, taking its largest lead of the half, 50-13, with 3:04 to play. Evee then scored nine of Rice's final 11 points of the half as it went into halftime trailing 55-24.
The teams traded baskets to open the second half. After Andrew Akuchie made two free throws, UAB went on a 10-3 run to take its largest lead of the game, 70-32. Akuchie then made back-to-back dunks as the Owls went on a 14-3 run. But UAB scored seven straight to push their lead back to 80-46 before Rice closed the game on a 11-5 run.
The Stats
Rice was held to a season-low 32.3% (27-of-61) from the field and 21.4% (6-of-28). UAB was 46.9% (30-of-64) from the floor and 40.7% (11-of-27) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 50-to-33.
Notes
• Rice and UAB met for the second time this year and the 24th time overall.
• G Travis Evee scored a game-high 15 points
• Evee passed Connor Frizzelle (2008-12), Tom Myer (1968-71) and Bill Tom (1945-49) for 20th-place on Rice's all-time scoring list.
• G Quincy Olivari scored 10 points, his 25th straight doube-figure scoring game, and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 10 points.
• F Andrew Akuchie scored nine points.
Next Up
Rice will play its final road game of the regular season this Saturday, Feb. 25, when it travels to Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT and will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
UAB
FG%
.323
.469
3FG%
.214
.407
FT%
.688
.700
RB
33
50
TO
12
12
STL
7
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's BasketballRice Men's Basketball Team Impact Signing
Friday, March 28
Rice MBB vs. Wichita State Postgame Presser
Friday, March 07
Rice vs. Tulsa Postgame Press Conference 2/22/25
Saturday, February 22
MBB Postgame Presser vs. UAB 2/19/25
Thursday, February 20