Saturday, February 24
Houston, TX
1 p.m.
Rice University
11-16,5-9AAC
70
vs
52
East Carolina
14-13,7-7AAC
1
2
F
East Carolina
27
25
52
Rice
29
41
70
Photo by: Rhonda Taormina
Evee’s 34 Points Leads Rice to 70-52 Win Over East Carolina
2/24/2024 5:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — Travis Evee hit seven three-pointers on his way to a season-high 34 points to lead Rice to a 70-52 victory over East Carolina, Saturday afternoon from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Both teams struggled early, as East Carolina led just 8-4 through the first 5:30. However, Rice used an 11-3 run behind three-pointers from Evee and Mekhi Mason to take a 15-11 lead. After ECU scored seven of the next nine points, Sam Alajiki and Noah Shelby scored consecutive baskets. But an 8-0 run gave the Pirates a 27-21 lead with 3:28 to play, forcing a Rice timeout. Evee's second three-pointer, though, sent the Owls on an 8-0 run to close the half, capped by an Alem Huseinovic three as Rice went into the break with a 29-27 lead.
After ECU tied the game to open the second half, Evee scored eight points to give Rice a five-point advantage. Two straight East Carolina baskets made it a one-point game, but an Andrew Akuchie three-point play followed by an Evee three sent the Owls on a 15-5 run to grab a 52-41 advantage. After an ECU jumper, Keanu Dawes converted a three-point play. Four straight Pirate points cut the deficit to 55-47 with 6:36 to play. That's when Evee took over. He hit a three and Dawes made a layup. Evee then drove in for a basket and made one-of-two free throws. Following two East Carolina free throws, he scored seven straight points, as he closed the game scoring 13 of the last 15 Rice points to close out the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 47.3% (26-of-55) from the field, 37.5% (9-of-24) from three, and 81.8% (9-of-11) from the free throw line. East Carolina was held to 35.2% (19-of-54) from the floor and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Pirates, 38-to-30.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"I thought it was one of our best halves of defense that we've played this year. It might have been the best second half, and maybe our most complete game defensively to hold them to 35% from the floor. After being down late in the first half, to end the half on an 8-0 run to go in with the lead, it was an outstanding job by our guys. I'm really happy for the team."
Notes
• Rice is 11-16 on the year and 5-9 in the AAC.
• Rice and East Carolina met for the 16th time overall, with ECU holding a 9-7 lead.
• Rice has won the last two meetings.
• In Houston, the series is tied at four.
• G Travis Evee set season-highs with 34 points and seven three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and two steals.
• It was his 23rd double-figure scoring game of the year and the 117th of his career.
• It was also his first 30-point game of the year and the third of his career.
• Evee became the first player in school history with 300 three-pointers.
• F Keanu Dawes scored 14 points on six-of-eight shooting.
• It was his sixth double-figure scoring game of the season.
• G Mekhi Mason had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
• It was his 20th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 35th of his career.
• F Max Fiedler tied a season-high with 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds.
• It was his second double-figure assist game of the year and the third of his career.
• He becomes the sixth player in school history with at least two 10+ assist games in a season.
• F Andrew Akuchie grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will go for the series sweep against Temple next Wednesday, February 28. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Both teams struggled early, as East Carolina led just 8-4 through the first 5:30. However, Rice used an 11-3 run behind three-pointers from Evee and Mekhi Mason to take a 15-11 lead. After ECU scored seven of the next nine points, Sam Alajiki and Noah Shelby scored consecutive baskets. But an 8-0 run gave the Pirates a 27-21 lead with 3:28 to play, forcing a Rice timeout. Evee's second three-pointer, though, sent the Owls on an 8-0 run to close the half, capped by an Alem Huseinovic three as Rice went into the break with a 29-27 lead.
After ECU tied the game to open the second half, Evee scored eight points to give Rice a five-point advantage. Two straight East Carolina baskets made it a one-point game, but an Andrew Akuchie three-point play followed by an Evee three sent the Owls on a 15-5 run to grab a 52-41 advantage. After an ECU jumper, Keanu Dawes converted a three-point play. Four straight Pirate points cut the deficit to 55-47 with 6:36 to play. That's when Evee took over. He hit a three and Dawes made a layup. Evee then drove in for a basket and made one-of-two free throws. Following two East Carolina free throws, he scored seven straight points, as he closed the game scoring 13 of the last 15 Rice points to close out the victory.
The Stats
Rice connected on 47.3% (26-of-55) from the field, 37.5% (9-of-24) from three, and 81.8% (9-of-11) from the free throw line. East Carolina was held to 35.2% (19-of-54) from the floor and 33.3% (7-of-21) from three. Rice also outrebounded the Pirates, 38-to-30.
What Head Coach Scott Pera Had to Say
"I thought it was one of our best halves of defense that we've played this year. It might have been the best second half, and maybe our most complete game defensively to hold them to 35% from the floor. After being down late in the first half, to end the half on an 8-0 run to go in with the lead, it was an outstanding job by our guys. I'm really happy for the team."
Notes
• Rice is 11-16 on the year and 5-9 in the AAC.
• Rice and East Carolina met for the 16th time overall, with ECU holding a 9-7 lead.
• Rice has won the last two meetings.
• In Houston, the series is tied at four.
• G Travis Evee set season-highs with 34 points and seven three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and two steals.
• It was his 23rd double-figure scoring game of the year and the 117th of his career.
• It was also his first 30-point game of the year and the third of his career.
• Evee became the first player in school history with 300 three-pointers.
• F Keanu Dawes scored 14 points on six-of-eight shooting.
• It was his sixth double-figure scoring game of the season.
• G Mekhi Mason had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
• It was his 20th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 35th of his career.
• F Max Fiedler tied a season-high with 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds.
• It was his second double-figure assist game of the year and the third of his career.
• He becomes the sixth player in school history with at least two 10+ assist games in a season.
• F Andrew Akuchie grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
Next Up
Rice will go for the series sweep against Temple next Wednesday, February 28. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
ECU
Rice
FG%
.352
.473
3FG%
.333
.375
FT%
.636
.818
RB
30
38
TO
9
10
STL
5
3
Game Leaders
Pts
34
FGM
12
3FGM
7
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
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