Saturday, February 25
Charlotte, NC
3 p.m.
Rice University
-1712,810 CUSA
54
at
70
Charlotte
-1811,99 CUSA
1
2
F
Rice
21
33
54
Charlotte
32
38
70
Rice Drops Road Finale at Charlotte
2/25/2023 8:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rice cut a 19-point second half deficit to single digits, but in the end, fell at Charlotte in its road finale, 70-54, Saturday night at Halton Arena.
The Story
Charlotte scored the first six points of the game as Rice was held scoreless through the first 3:30. The Owls got on the board when Max Fiedler found Travis Evee for a layup as they scored seven of the next 10 points. After a 49er layup, Cameron Sheffield pulled Rice to within 11-10. But Rice missed its next eight shots as Charlotte went on an 8-1 run to take a 19-11 lead. The teams traded baskets over the next 3:30. But the 49ers scored seven of the final 10 points in the last 2:30, taking a 32-21 lead at the half.
The teams traded baskets to open the second half. After two Evee free throws, Charlotte went on a 9-0 run, taking a 43-25 lead. After going back-and-forth, Brice Williams hit a jumper as the 49ers took their largest lead of the game, 49-30, with 12:51 to play. The Owls began to rally with Alem Huseinovic hitting the first of two three-pointers and Quincy Olivari converting a three-point play as Rice went on a 14-4 run. After a Charlotte basket, Olivari drilled a three that brought the Owls within 55-47 with 4:20 remaining. But Rice would get no closer as Williams hit three straight three-pointers to put the game away.
The Stats
"(Charlotte) controlled the game from start to finish. Our kids fought back in the second half. We had some opportunities. But, you almost have to make every shot just to give yourself a chance. We got it to eight, but we couldn't get stops."
The Stats
Rice was held to 37.0% (20-of-54) from the field and 25.9% (7-of-27). Charlotte connected on 51.9% (28-of-54) from the floor and 46.7% (7-of-15) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 38-to-27.
Notes
• Rice and Charlotte met for the second time this year and the 17th time overall.
• This was also the first meeting in Charlotte since 2019.
• G Quincy Olivari recorded his third double-double of the year with team-highs of 12 points and a season-high tying 12 rebounds.
• It was his 26th straight double-figure scoring game.
• With two three-pointers, Olivari now has 81 on the year, to tie Egor Koulechov (2016-17) and Ako Adams (2019-20) for ninth-place on Rice's season list.
• Olivari set the school record for three-point field goals attempted with 628.
• G Travis Evee scored 12 point to move past Adam Peakes (1991-95) for 19th-place on Rice's all-time scoring list with 1,247.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 10 points.
• F Max Fiedler became the 41st-player in school history to score 1,000 career points.
• With four assists, Fiedler now has 144 on the year, tying Dylan Ennis (2011-12) for eighth-place on Rice's single-season list.
Next Up
Rice tips off its final homestand of the regular season next Thursday, Mar. 2, when it hosts regular season champion Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Charlotte scored the first six points of the game as Rice was held scoreless through the first 3:30. The Owls got on the board when Max Fiedler found Travis Evee for a layup as they scored seven of the next 10 points. After a 49er layup, Cameron Sheffield pulled Rice to within 11-10. But Rice missed its next eight shots as Charlotte went on an 8-1 run to take a 19-11 lead. The teams traded baskets over the next 3:30. But the 49ers scored seven of the final 10 points in the last 2:30, taking a 32-21 lead at the half.
The teams traded baskets to open the second half. After two Evee free throws, Charlotte went on a 9-0 run, taking a 43-25 lead. After going back-and-forth, Brice Williams hit a jumper as the 49ers took their largest lead of the game, 49-30, with 12:51 to play. The Owls began to rally with Alem Huseinovic hitting the first of two three-pointers and Quincy Olivari converting a three-point play as Rice went on a 14-4 run. After a Charlotte basket, Olivari drilled a three that brought the Owls within 55-47 with 4:20 remaining. But Rice would get no closer as Williams hit three straight three-pointers to put the game away.
The Stats
"(Charlotte) controlled the game from start to finish. Our kids fought back in the second half. We had some opportunities. But, you almost have to make every shot just to give yourself a chance. We got it to eight, but we couldn't get stops."
The Stats
Rice was held to 37.0% (20-of-54) from the field and 25.9% (7-of-27). Charlotte connected on 51.9% (28-of-54) from the floor and 46.7% (7-of-15) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 38-to-27.
Notes
• Rice and Charlotte met for the second time this year and the 17th time overall.
• This was also the first meeting in Charlotte since 2019.
• G Quincy Olivari recorded his third double-double of the year with team-highs of 12 points and a season-high tying 12 rebounds.
• It was his 26th straight double-figure scoring game.
• With two three-pointers, Olivari now has 81 on the year, to tie Egor Koulechov (2016-17) and Ako Adams (2019-20) for ninth-place on Rice's season list.
• Olivari set the school record for three-point field goals attempted with 628.
• G Travis Evee scored 12 point to move past Adam Peakes (1991-95) for 19th-place on Rice's all-time scoring list with 1,247.
• G Cameron Sheffield scored 10 points.
• F Max Fiedler became the 41st-player in school history to score 1,000 career points.
• With four assists, Fiedler now has 144 on the year, tying Dylan Ennis (2011-12) for eighth-place on Rice's single-season list.
Next Up
Rice tips off its final homestand of the regular season next Thursday, Mar. 2, when it hosts regular season champion Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
CLT
FG%
.370
.519
3FG%
.259
.467
FT%
.583
.700
RB
27
38
TO
7
9
STL
6
2
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG/F
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