Monday, December 16
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
8-3,0-0AAC
77
vs
75
Alcorn State
0-12,0-0SWAC
1
2
F
Alcorn
33
42
75
Rice
42
35
77
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Amos’ Late Layup Gives Rice Victory over Alcorn State
12/16/2024 10:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – Alem Huseinovic scored a season-high 20 points behind six three-pointers and Kellen Amos' layup with 5.1 seconds remaining gave Rice a 77-75 victory over Alcorn State, Monday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Both teams struggled out of the gate, as they combined for just four points through the first four minutes. But they then got going. With Alcorn leading 8-7, Emory Lanier hit a three-pointer and Andrew Akuchie converted a three-point play. The Braves scored seven of the next nine points to tie the game at 15 before Rice went on a 10-3 run to take a 25-18 lead with 6:51 to play in the half. After trading baskets over the next 1:23, Djahi Binet made a three-point play to cut the deficit to four. However, the Owls went on a 10-2 run to take its largest lead of the half, 40-28, with 1:13 to play. After an Alcorn State basket, Alem Huseinovic made two free throws. But Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt's three at the buzzer sent Rice into halftime leading 42-33.
Rice started the second half by scoring seven of the first nine points, taking its largest lead of the game at 49-35, just two minutes into the half. The teams went back-and-forth over the next eight minutes. However, with Rice leading 62-51, the Owls went cold as Alcorn State went on a 12-0 run, taking a 63-62 lead. Denver Anglin snapped the streak with a three, but a Michael Pajeaud jumper tied the game. Lanier made two free throws, but an 8-1 run gave the Braves their largest lead of the game, 73-68, with 3:04 to play. Trae Broadnax made a layup, and the Owls got a stop. Kellen Amos then made his only three of the game to give Rice the lead with 55 seconds to play but Gaines-Wyatt tied the game with a jumper. With time winding down on the shot clock, Amos drove in and converted a layup with 5.1 seconds to play. After a timeout. Gaines-Wyatt attempted a long three-pointer, but it was off the mark.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"If I told you we were going to make 13 threes, shoot 47% from the floor and 40% from three, it would look like we had a pretty good night. This is the first time all year that someone shot 50% against us, and (Alcorn State) made 10 threes of their own. It's a credit to them. I have a lot of respect for them. They are well-coached, and they're tough. We had a chance to get some separation, but we just couldn't put together some stops. But I'm proud of the guys that they found a way."
The Stats
Rice connected on 47.4% (27-of-57) from the field, 39.4% (13-of-33) from three, and 83.3% (10-of-12) from the free throw line. Alcorn State shot 50.0% (27-of-54) from the floor, 47.6% (10-of-21) from three, and 64.7% (11-of-17) from the charity stripe. Rice also outrebounded the Braves, 32-to-30.
Notes
• This was just the second meeting between Rice and Alcorn State.
• Rice improves to 2-0 against the Braves.
• Rice set season-highs with 42 first half points, 33 three-point attempts, 19 assists, and 13 three-pointers, the second time this year it made at least 10 threes.
• The 42 first half points tied the most points in a half this year.
• Rice also tied a season-high with 27 field goals made.
• The Owls also forced a season-high 18 turnovers.
• Alem Huseinovic scored a season-high 20 points, his third career 20-point game.
• He also tied a career-high with six three-pointers.
• Trae Broadnax scored 11 points, his 11th straight double-figure game to open the season, and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
• He also tied a season-high with seven assists.
• Denver Anglin scored 11 points, his fourth double-figure scoring game this year.
• Emory Lanier set season-highs with nine points, four rebounds and three assists.
• Andrew Akuchie tied a season-high with seven points.
Next Up
Rice returns to the hardwood this Thursday, Dec. 19, when it hosts UNT-Dallas in the annual School House Mania game. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Both teams struggled out of the gate, as they combined for just four points through the first four minutes. But they then got going. With Alcorn leading 8-7, Emory Lanier hit a three-pointer and Andrew Akuchie converted a three-point play. The Braves scored seven of the next nine points to tie the game at 15 before Rice went on a 10-3 run to take a 25-18 lead with 6:51 to play in the half. After trading baskets over the next 1:23, Djahi Binet made a three-point play to cut the deficit to four. However, the Owls went on a 10-2 run to take its largest lead of the half, 40-28, with 1:13 to play. After an Alcorn State basket, Alem Huseinovic made two free throws. But Jalyke Gaines-Wyatt's three at the buzzer sent Rice into halftime leading 42-33.
Rice started the second half by scoring seven of the first nine points, taking its largest lead of the game at 49-35, just two minutes into the half. The teams went back-and-forth over the next eight minutes. However, with Rice leading 62-51, the Owls went cold as Alcorn State went on a 12-0 run, taking a 63-62 lead. Denver Anglin snapped the streak with a three, but a Michael Pajeaud jumper tied the game. Lanier made two free throws, but an 8-1 run gave the Braves their largest lead of the game, 73-68, with 3:04 to play. Trae Broadnax made a layup, and the Owls got a stop. Kellen Amos then made his only three of the game to give Rice the lead with 55 seconds to play but Gaines-Wyatt tied the game with a jumper. With time winding down on the shot clock, Amos drove in and converted a layup with 5.1 seconds to play. After a timeout. Gaines-Wyatt attempted a long three-pointer, but it was off the mark.
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"If I told you we were going to make 13 threes, shoot 47% from the floor and 40% from three, it would look like we had a pretty good night. This is the first time all year that someone shot 50% against us, and (Alcorn State) made 10 threes of their own. It's a credit to them. I have a lot of respect for them. They are well-coached, and they're tough. We had a chance to get some separation, but we just couldn't put together some stops. But I'm proud of the guys that they found a way."
The Stats
Rice connected on 47.4% (27-of-57) from the field, 39.4% (13-of-33) from three, and 83.3% (10-of-12) from the free throw line. Alcorn State shot 50.0% (27-of-54) from the floor, 47.6% (10-of-21) from three, and 64.7% (11-of-17) from the charity stripe. Rice also outrebounded the Braves, 32-to-30.
Notes
• This was just the second meeting between Rice and Alcorn State.
• Rice improves to 2-0 against the Braves.
• Rice set season-highs with 42 first half points, 33 three-point attempts, 19 assists, and 13 three-pointers, the second time this year it made at least 10 threes.
• The 42 first half points tied the most points in a half this year.
• Rice also tied a season-high with 27 field goals made.
• The Owls also forced a season-high 18 turnovers.
• Alem Huseinovic scored a season-high 20 points, his third career 20-point game.
• He also tied a career-high with six three-pointers.
• Trae Broadnax scored 11 points, his 11th straight double-figure game to open the season, and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
• He also tied a season-high with seven assists.
• Denver Anglin scored 11 points, his fourth double-figure scoring game this year.
• Emory Lanier set season-highs with nine points, four rebounds and three assists.
• Andrew Akuchie tied a season-high with seven points.
Next Up
Rice returns to the hardwood this Thursday, Dec. 19, when it hosts UNT-Dallas in the annual School House Mania game. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Alcorn
Rice
FG%
.500
.474
3FG%
.476
.394
FT%
.647
.833
RB
30
32
TO
18
18
STL
7
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
6
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
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