Saturday, January 20
Philadelphia, PA
1 p.m.
Rice University
7-11,1-4AAC
69
at
66
Temple
8-11,1-5AAC
1
2
F
Rice
41
28
69
Temple
28
38
66
Rice Holds on to Defeat Temple for First AAC Win
1/20/2024 4:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Alem Huseinovic's three-pointer with 2:02 to play gave Rice the lead for good as it picked up its first-ever American Athletic Conference victory, defeating Temple, 69-66, Saturday afternoon at the Liacouras Center as Rice head Coach Scott Pera earned his 350th career win.
The Story
Rice made its first four baskets as it jumped out to an 11-5 lead. The teams went back-and-forth over the next three minutes. After Temple pulled within three, Mekhi Mason drove in for a layup and Noah Shelby hit a three as Rice went on a 10-2 run. Three straight baskets brought TU within 28-23. But three-pointers by Alem Huseinovic and Mason and a layup from Max Fiedler gave Rice a 36-23 advantage. Hysier Miller made a layup, but five straight points from Travis Evee gave Rice its largest lead of the half before Temple closed with three straight points, as Rice went into halftime with a 41-28 lead.
However, Rice struggled in the second half. Temple scored the first seven points. Evee then made two free throws. After the teams traded baskets, Rice missed eight of its next 10 shots as TU went on a 17-4 run to take its largest lead of the game, 55-49, with 8:04 remaining. But that's when Rice turned it on. Evee scored eight straight points, and Anthony Selden gave Rice the lead with a jumper. After Huseinovic made two free throws, Temple tied the game at 61 with a three-pointer. But Huseinovic's fourth three of the game gave Rice a 64-61 lead with 2:02 remaining. Miller made one-of-two free throws, and Mason hit a pair to make it a two-possession game. But Steve Settle made a three. Mason again made two free throws and Miller and Sam Alajiki exchanged one from the line. Temple had one final chance to tie the game, but Matteo Picarelli's attempt was off the mark as Rice held on for the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 40.7% (22-of-54) from the field and 34.6% (9-of-26) from three. Temple was held to 40.3% (25-of-62) from the floor and 31.0% (9-of-29) from three. Rice also outrebounded TU, 41-to-31.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"We've been through the grinder the last four games now. Today, the team knew how to close it out. I thought Alem (Huseinovic) hit a huge shot and Mekhi (Mason) hit two huge free throws. Our defense was outstanding down the stretch when we needed it to be. They handled the end of the game very well. They were poised and composed. I'm just really happy for them to get our first AAC win."
Notes
• Rice improved to 7-11 and 1-4 in the American.
• This was the fifth meeting between Rice and Temple, with Rice holding a 1-3 record.
• When played in Philadelphia, Rice is 1-2.
• G Mekhi Mason led Rice with 20 points and tied a season-high with seven rebounds.
• It was his third 20-point game of the year and the fifth of his career.
• It was also his 13th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 28th of his career.
• G Travis Evee scored 15 points and had five rebounds.
• It was his 15th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 88th of his career.
• G Alem Huseinovic scored a season-high 14 points, his sixth double-figure scoring game this year and the eighth of his career.
• He also tied a career-high with four three-pointers.
• F Max Fiedler recorded eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Wednesday, Jan. 24, when it hosts No. 23 Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice made its first four baskets as it jumped out to an 11-5 lead. The teams went back-and-forth over the next three minutes. After Temple pulled within three, Mekhi Mason drove in for a layup and Noah Shelby hit a three as Rice went on a 10-2 run. Three straight baskets brought TU within 28-23. But three-pointers by Alem Huseinovic and Mason and a layup from Max Fiedler gave Rice a 36-23 advantage. Hysier Miller made a layup, but five straight points from Travis Evee gave Rice its largest lead of the half before Temple closed with three straight points, as Rice went into halftime with a 41-28 lead.
However, Rice struggled in the second half. Temple scored the first seven points. Evee then made two free throws. After the teams traded baskets, Rice missed eight of its next 10 shots as TU went on a 17-4 run to take its largest lead of the game, 55-49, with 8:04 remaining. But that's when Rice turned it on. Evee scored eight straight points, and Anthony Selden gave Rice the lead with a jumper. After Huseinovic made two free throws, Temple tied the game at 61 with a three-pointer. But Huseinovic's fourth three of the game gave Rice a 64-61 lead with 2:02 remaining. Miller made one-of-two free throws, and Mason hit a pair to make it a two-possession game. But Steve Settle made a three. Mason again made two free throws and Miller and Sam Alajiki exchanged one from the line. Temple had one final chance to tie the game, but Matteo Picarelli's attempt was off the mark as Rice held on for the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 40.7% (22-of-54) from the field and 34.6% (9-of-26) from three. Temple was held to 40.3% (25-of-62) from the floor and 31.0% (9-of-29) from three. Rice also outrebounded TU, 41-to-31.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"We've been through the grinder the last four games now. Today, the team knew how to close it out. I thought Alem (Huseinovic) hit a huge shot and Mekhi (Mason) hit two huge free throws. Our defense was outstanding down the stretch when we needed it to be. They handled the end of the game very well. They were poised and composed. I'm just really happy for them to get our first AAC win."
Notes
• Rice improved to 7-11 and 1-4 in the American.
• This was the fifth meeting between Rice and Temple, with Rice holding a 1-3 record.
• When played in Philadelphia, Rice is 1-2.
• G Mekhi Mason led Rice with 20 points and tied a season-high with seven rebounds.
• It was his third 20-point game of the year and the fifth of his career.
• It was also his 13th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 28th of his career.
• G Travis Evee scored 15 points and had five rebounds.
• It was his 15th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 88th of his career.
• G Alem Huseinovic scored a season-high 14 points, his sixth double-figure scoring game this year and the eighth of his career.
• He also tied a career-high with four three-pointers.
• F Max Fiedler recorded eight points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.
Next Up
Rice begins a two-game homestand next Wednesday, Jan. 24, when it hosts No. 23 Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
Temple
FG%
.407
.403
3FG%
.346
.310
FT%
.696
.500
RB
41
31
TO
13
8
STL
2
8
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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