Thursday, March 9
Frisco, TX
8:30 p.m.
Rice University
-1815,812 CUSA
60
vs
87
UAB
-248,146 CUSA
1
2
F
Rice
30
30
60
UAB
40
47
87
Photo by: CUSA
Turnovers Doom Rice against UAB in C-USA Quarters
3/9/2023 11:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball
FRISCO, Texas — UAB took advantage of 21 turnovers as Rice fell in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament, 87-60, Thursday night from the Ford Center at the Star.
The Story
Rice got off to a slow start as UAB jumped out to a 12-5 lead through the first five minutes. But Rice got going, making five of its next six shots, including a pair of three-pointers by Travis Evee, as it went on an 11-0 run to take a 16-12 lead. However, following a media timeout, it missed seven of eight shots and UAB went on a 16-2 run to take a 10-point lead with 6:32 to play. The teams then traded baskets over the next three minutes. With the Blazers holding a nine-point lead, Quincy Olivari hit a jumper, sending Rice on 7-0 lead to cut the deficit to two. But UAB closed the half on an 8-0 run in the final minute to take 40-30 lead at the break.
Evee opened the second half with a three-pointer. After back-to-back UAB baskets, Mekhi Mason hit a three and Evee made a runner in the paint. But Jordan Walker got hot, hitting four straight three-pointers in an 18-4 run as the Blazers extended their lead to 62-42. Max Fiedler made two free throws, but UAB scored seven of the next eight points to take a 69-45 lead with 8:29 to play. The Owls wouldn't get closer than 20 points the rest of the game.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"The last minute of the half was frustrating. Our kids were battling. We rebounded and defended. But in the last minute of the half, we just became unglued for whatever reason. It's disappointing. (UAB) is a really good team. Even if we did handle it well, they still have Jordan Walker. They sped us up. We were uncharacteristically sped up."
The Stats
Rice connected on 45.7% (21-of-46) from the field and 41.7% (10-of-24) from three. UAB connected on 50.8% (30-of-59) from the floor and 50.0% (11-of-22) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 33-to-26.
Notes
• Rice and UAB met for third time this year and the 24th time overall.
• This was the second meeting in the Conference USA Tournament.
• Rice is 10-17 all-time in the C-USA Tournament.
• Rice hit 10 three-pointers, the 16th time this season it made at least 10 threes.
• G Travis Evee scored a team-high 20 points, his 10th 20-point game of the year.
• F Max Fiedler scored 14 points and had a team-high five assists.
• G Quincy Olivari had five assists and grabbed four rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield led the team with six rebounds.
The Story
Rice got off to a slow start as UAB jumped out to a 12-5 lead through the first five minutes. But Rice got going, making five of its next six shots, including a pair of three-pointers by Travis Evee, as it went on an 11-0 run to take a 16-12 lead. However, following a media timeout, it missed seven of eight shots and UAB went on a 16-2 run to take a 10-point lead with 6:32 to play. The teams then traded baskets over the next three minutes. With the Blazers holding a nine-point lead, Quincy Olivari hit a jumper, sending Rice on 7-0 lead to cut the deficit to two. But UAB closed the half on an 8-0 run in the final minute to take 40-30 lead at the break.
Evee opened the second half with a three-pointer. After back-to-back UAB baskets, Mekhi Mason hit a three and Evee made a runner in the paint. But Jordan Walker got hot, hitting four straight three-pointers in an 18-4 run as the Blazers extended their lead to 62-42. Max Fiedler made two free throws, but UAB scored seven of the next eight points to take a 69-45 lead with 8:29 to play. The Owls wouldn't get closer than 20 points the rest of the game.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"The last minute of the half was frustrating. Our kids were battling. We rebounded and defended. But in the last minute of the half, we just became unglued for whatever reason. It's disappointing. (UAB) is a really good team. Even if we did handle it well, they still have Jordan Walker. They sped us up. We were uncharacteristically sped up."
The Stats
Rice connected on 45.7% (21-of-46) from the field and 41.7% (10-of-24) from three. UAB connected on 50.8% (30-of-59) from the floor and 50.0% (11-of-22) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 33-to-26.
Notes
• Rice and UAB met for third time this year and the 24th time overall.
• This was the second meeting in the Conference USA Tournament.
• Rice is 10-17 all-time in the C-USA Tournament.
• Rice hit 10 three-pointers, the 16th time this season it made at least 10 threes.
• G Travis Evee scored a team-high 20 points, his 10th 20-point game of the year.
• F Max Fiedler scored 14 points and had a team-high five assists.
• G Quincy Olivari had five assists and grabbed four rebounds.
• G Cameron Sheffield led the team with six rebounds.
Team Stats
Rice
UAB
FG%
.457
.508
3FG%
.417
.500
FT%
.727
.762
RB
26
33
TO
21
10
STL
2
10
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
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