Wednesday, January 3
New Orleans, LA
8 p.m.
Rice University
6-8,0-1AAC
59
at
84
Tulane
10-3,1-0AAC
1
2
F
Rice
24
35
59
Tulane
37
47
84
Rice Drops AAC Opener at Tulane
1/3/2024 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Rice was held to 31.7% from the field as it dropped its inaugural American Athletic Conference game to Tulane, 84-59, Wednesday night at Fogelman Arena.
The Story
Rice made just one-of-its first eight shots to start the game. After Keanu Dawes made two free throws, Tulane went on a 10-2 run to take a 20-9 lead midway through the first half. The teams then traded baskets, with Alem Huseinovic hitting a three-pointer to pull the Owls within eight. However, a 13-3 Green Wave run gave them their largest lead of the half at 35-17. Travis Evee converted a three-point play and Kevin Cross made two free throws. But Huseinovic and Andrew Akuchie hit back-to-back baskets to close the half and send Rice into the break trailing, 37-24.
The Owls started the half with three-pointers from Evee and Mekhi Mason and they scored eight of the first 10 points to pull within 39-32 in the first two minutes. But a 10-0 run gave Tulane its largest lead of the game, 49-32. A three from Dawes and a Mason jumper cut the deficit to 12. But the Green Wave pushed their lead back to 16. Evee then scored five straight points and Akuchie got a layup as the Owls used a 7-0 run to pull within nine. But Tulane answered with a 20-2 run to put the game away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 31.7% (19-of-60) from the field and 25.0% (8-of-32) from three. Tulane connected on 56.7% (34-of-60) from the floor and 40.9% (9-of-22) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded by the Green Wave, 38-to-33.
Notes
• This was 54th meeting between Rice and Tulane, with the Green Wave holding a 28-26 lead in the series.
• In games played in New Orleans, the Green Wave are 20-8.
• G Travis Evee led the team with 14 points and four assists.
• It was his 12th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 85th of his career.
• F Keanu Dawes scored 12 points, his third double-figure scoring game of the year, and had three rebounds.
• G Alem Huseinovic scored 10 points, his third double-figure scoring game of the year and fifth of his career.
• F Max Fiedler grabbed six rebounds and had three assists.
• Fielder set the school record, playing in his 130th career game.
• F Andrew Akuchie tied a season-high with five rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will play its inaugural American Athletic Conference home game this Saturday, Jan. 6, when it hosts UTSA. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice made just one-of-its first eight shots to start the game. After Keanu Dawes made two free throws, Tulane went on a 10-2 run to take a 20-9 lead midway through the first half. The teams then traded baskets, with Alem Huseinovic hitting a three-pointer to pull the Owls within eight. However, a 13-3 Green Wave run gave them their largest lead of the half at 35-17. Travis Evee converted a three-point play and Kevin Cross made two free throws. But Huseinovic and Andrew Akuchie hit back-to-back baskets to close the half and send Rice into the break trailing, 37-24.
The Owls started the half with three-pointers from Evee and Mekhi Mason and they scored eight of the first 10 points to pull within 39-32 in the first two minutes. But a 10-0 run gave Tulane its largest lead of the game, 49-32. A three from Dawes and a Mason jumper cut the deficit to 12. But the Green Wave pushed their lead back to 16. Evee then scored five straight points and Akuchie got a layup as the Owls used a 7-0 run to pull within nine. But Tulane answered with a 20-2 run to put the game away.
The Stats
Rice was held to just 31.7% (19-of-60) from the field and 25.0% (8-of-32) from three. Tulane connected on 56.7% (34-of-60) from the floor and 40.9% (9-of-22) from three. The Owls were also outrebounded by the Green Wave, 38-to-33.
Notes
• This was 54th meeting between Rice and Tulane, with the Green Wave holding a 28-26 lead in the series.
• In games played in New Orleans, the Green Wave are 20-8.
• G Travis Evee led the team with 14 points and four assists.
• It was his 12th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 85th of his career.
• F Keanu Dawes scored 12 points, his third double-figure scoring game of the year, and had three rebounds.
• G Alem Huseinovic scored 10 points, his third double-figure scoring game of the year and fifth of his career.
• F Max Fiedler grabbed six rebounds and had three assists.
• Fielder set the school record, playing in his 130th career game.
• F Andrew Akuchie tied a season-high with five rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will play its inaugural American Athletic Conference home game this Saturday, Jan. 6, when it hosts UTSA. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
Tulane
FG%
.317
.567
3FG%
.250
.409
FT%
.867
.583
RB
33
38
TO
14
11
STL
5
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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