Tuesday, November 12
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
66
vs
50
Louisiana-Monroe
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Rice Rides Defense to 66-50 Victory over Louisiana-Monroe
11/12/2024 11:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – The Rice men's basketball team used a strong defensive performance to defeat Louisiana-Monroe Tuesday night, 66-50, from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Both teams struggled through the first half. After a Caden Powell free throw got the Owls on the board, a Denver Anglin three and Trey Patterson jumper gave them a 6-2 lead. But Rice missed its next eight shots as ULM scored seven of the next nine points to tie the game at nine midway through the half. Trae Broadnax scored the next five points for the Owls, but back-to-back Warhalk buckets tied the game at 14. With the game tied at 19, Rice went on an 8-1 run culminating in Alem Huseinovic's third three of the half as the Owls went into halftime with a 27-21 lead.
Broadnax scored the first four points of the second half. After two ULM free throws, Huseinovic connected on his fourth three-pointer of the night, and the 100th of his career. The teams then traded baskets over the next 2:41, but a 12-4 Louisiana-Monroe run cut Rice's lead to 42-39 with 12:03 to play. But six straight Rice points pushed its lead back to 48-39. With the Owls leading 50-43, they scored five straight points, on their way to a 16-3 run to put the game away.
The Stats
Rice connected on 37.5% (21-of-56) from the field, and 34.5% (10-of-29) from three. Louisiana-Monroe was held to just 32.7% (17-of-52) from the floor and 14.3% (3-of-21) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Warhawks, 44-to-35.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm obviously proud of the guys. ULM, in their first two games, outrebounded both of their opponents. That was an emphasis coming into the game. Not only did we outrebound them by nine, but we had 15 offensive rebounds, which was critical. In the first half, we defended with great energy, and put together some stops. But we were still playing with some nerves on offense. Fortunately, Trae (Broadnax) and Alem (Huseinovic) carried us a little bit through the first half. The latter part of the second half, the execution started to kick in. But we continued to defend. To hold a team to 32% and 14% from three, those are the kind of things that we want to get accustomed to in this program. Sometimes, when you emphasize defense, the offense has some catching up to do, and that's what you saw tonight."
Notes
• This was the third meeting between Rice and Louisiana-Monroe, and the first in Houston.
• Rice won for the first time against the Warhawks.
• All 14 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• The 50 points allowed are the fewest since holding St. Thomas to 48 on Nov. 10, 2022.
• It is also the fewest against a Division I opponent since SMU was held to 39 points on Feb. 11, 2012.
• The Owls held ULM to 32.7% shooting, the lowest since Incarnate Word shot 28.6% on Dec. 16, 2021.
• Rice set season-highs with 44 rebounds, 10 three-pointers, and 10 steals.
• Alem Huseinovic led Rice with a game-high 15 points and four three-pointers.
• With his four threes, he now has 100 in his career.
• Huseinovic also has two steals for the second time this year.
• Trae Broadnax scored 14 points, his third straight double-figure scoring game, and led the game with a season-high seven assists.
• Trey Patterson set career-highs with eight points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
• Patterson also hit a pair of three-pointers, the first threes of his career.
• Caden Powell scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.
• Denver Anglin scored a career-high eight points.
Next Up
Rice closes its homestand this Saturday, Nov. 16, when it hosts Northwestern State. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed at ESPN+.
The Story
Both teams struggled through the first half. After a Caden Powell free throw got the Owls on the board, a Denver Anglin three and Trey Patterson jumper gave them a 6-2 lead. But Rice missed its next eight shots as ULM scored seven of the next nine points to tie the game at nine midway through the half. Trae Broadnax scored the next five points for the Owls, but back-to-back Warhalk buckets tied the game at 14. With the game tied at 19, Rice went on an 8-1 run culminating in Alem Huseinovic's third three of the half as the Owls went into halftime with a 27-21 lead.
Broadnax scored the first four points of the second half. After two ULM free throws, Huseinovic connected on his fourth three-pointer of the night, and the 100th of his career. The teams then traded baskets over the next 2:41, but a 12-4 Louisiana-Monroe run cut Rice's lead to 42-39 with 12:03 to play. But six straight Rice points pushed its lead back to 48-39. With the Owls leading 50-43, they scored five straight points, on their way to a 16-3 run to put the game away.
The Stats
Rice connected on 37.5% (21-of-56) from the field, and 34.5% (10-of-29) from three. Louisiana-Monroe was held to just 32.7% (17-of-52) from the floor and 14.3% (3-of-21) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Warhawks, 44-to-35.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"I'm obviously proud of the guys. ULM, in their first two games, outrebounded both of their opponents. That was an emphasis coming into the game. Not only did we outrebound them by nine, but we had 15 offensive rebounds, which was critical. In the first half, we defended with great energy, and put together some stops. But we were still playing with some nerves on offense. Fortunately, Trae (Broadnax) and Alem (Huseinovic) carried us a little bit through the first half. The latter part of the second half, the execution started to kick in. But we continued to defend. To hold a team to 32% and 14% from three, those are the kind of things that we want to get accustomed to in this program. Sometimes, when you emphasize defense, the offense has some catching up to do, and that's what you saw tonight."
Notes
• This was the third meeting between Rice and Louisiana-Monroe, and the first in Houston.
• Rice won for the first time against the Warhawks.
• All 14 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• The 50 points allowed are the fewest since holding St. Thomas to 48 on Nov. 10, 2022.
• It is also the fewest against a Division I opponent since SMU was held to 39 points on Feb. 11, 2012.
• The Owls held ULM to 32.7% shooting, the lowest since Incarnate Word shot 28.6% on Dec. 16, 2021.
• Rice set season-highs with 44 rebounds, 10 three-pointers, and 10 steals.
• Alem Huseinovic led Rice with a game-high 15 points and four three-pointers.
• With his four threes, he now has 100 in his career.
• Huseinovic also has two steals for the second time this year.
• Trae Broadnax scored 14 points, his third straight double-figure scoring game, and led the game with a season-high seven assists.
• Trey Patterson set career-highs with eight points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
• Patterson also hit a pair of three-pointers, the first threes of his career.
• Caden Powell scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.
• Denver Anglin scored a career-high eight points.
Next Up
Rice closes its homestand this Saturday, Nov. 16, when it hosts Northwestern State. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed at ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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