Saturday, March 2
Wichita, KS
6 p.m.
Rice University
11-18,5-11AAC
66
at
87
Wichita State
13-17,5-12AAC
1
2
F
Rice
39
27
66
Wichita St.
42
45
87
Shockers Sharp Shooting Leads to Rice Defeat at Wichita State
3/2/2024 8:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State shot 52.6% from the field and 63.6% from three as Rice fell, 87-66, Saturday night at Charles Koch Arena.
The Story
The first half was a fast-paced, back-and-forth affair. After Wichita State grabbed an 11-8 lead, Travis Evee converted an and-one and Max Fiedler made a layup. But Dalen Ridgnal hit back-to-back threes for the Shockers. After trading baskets for two minutes, baskets by Mekhi Mason and Andrew Akuchie tied the game at 22. WSU scored six of the next eight points, but Keanu Dawes scored seven points in an 11-2 run as Rice grabbed a 35-30 lead. Wichita tied the game at 35. Mekhi Mason then hit two free throws and a jumper to give Rice a 39-35 advantage with 3:09 left in the half. However, the Owls were held scoreless the rest of the way as Wichita State closed on a 7-0 run to head into halftime with a 42-29 lead.
The Shockers kept up their hot shooting in the second half, making six of their first seven shots as they opened the first six minutes on a 17-6 run. Two Evee free throws and a Fiedler layup brought Rice within 59-49. But an 18-4 run over the next 6:12 pushed WSU's lead to 77-53, sealing the game for the Shockers.52
The Stats
Rice connected on 44.6% (25-of-56) from the field but was just 6-of-20% (30.0%) from three. Wichita State connected on 52.6% (30-of-57) from the floor and 63.6% (14-of-22) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 38-to-23.
Notes
• Rice is 11-18 on the year and 5-11 in the AAC.
• Rice and Wichita State met for just the third time, with Wichita State holding a 2-1 advantage.
• The Owls tied a season-high with six blocks.
• G Travis Evee led Rice with 18 points and four assists.
• It was his 24th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 118th of his career.
• F Keanu Dawes scored 12 points, his eighth double-figure scoring game of the year.
• It was his 24th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 118th of his career.
• G Mekhi Mason had 12 points and a game-high five assists.
• F Max Fiedler scored 10 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
• It was his 13th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 67th of his career.
• With six rebounds, Fiedler passed Michael Harris (2001-05) for the all-time Rice record with 1,116 career rebounds.
Next Up
Rice plays its final road game of the regular season next Wednesday, March 6, when it faces Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
The first half was a fast-paced, back-and-forth affair. After Wichita State grabbed an 11-8 lead, Travis Evee converted an and-one and Max Fiedler made a layup. But Dalen Ridgnal hit back-to-back threes for the Shockers. After trading baskets for two minutes, baskets by Mekhi Mason and Andrew Akuchie tied the game at 22. WSU scored six of the next eight points, but Keanu Dawes scored seven points in an 11-2 run as Rice grabbed a 35-30 lead. Wichita tied the game at 35. Mekhi Mason then hit two free throws and a jumper to give Rice a 39-35 advantage with 3:09 left in the half. However, the Owls were held scoreless the rest of the way as Wichita State closed on a 7-0 run to head into halftime with a 42-29 lead.
The Shockers kept up their hot shooting in the second half, making six of their first seven shots as they opened the first six minutes on a 17-6 run. Two Evee free throws and a Fiedler layup brought Rice within 59-49. But an 18-4 run over the next 6:12 pushed WSU's lead to 77-53, sealing the game for the Shockers.52
The Stats
Rice connected on 44.6% (25-of-56) from the field but was just 6-of-20% (30.0%) from three. Wichita State connected on 52.6% (30-of-57) from the floor and 63.6% (14-of-22) from three. Rice was also outrebounded, 38-to-23.
Notes
• Rice is 11-18 on the year and 5-11 in the AAC.
• Rice and Wichita State met for just the third time, with Wichita State holding a 2-1 advantage.
• The Owls tied a season-high with six blocks.
• G Travis Evee led Rice with 18 points and four assists.
• It was his 24th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 118th of his career.
• F Keanu Dawes scored 12 points, his eighth double-figure scoring game of the year.
• It was his 24th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 118th of his career.
• G Mekhi Mason had 12 points and a game-high five assists.
• F Max Fiedler scored 10 points and grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
• It was his 13th double-figure scoring game of the year and the 67th of his career.
• With six rebounds, Fiedler passed Michael Harris (2001-05) for the all-time Rice record with 1,116 career rebounds.
Next Up
Rice plays its final road game of the regular season next Wednesday, March 6, when it faces Charlotte. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
Rice
WSU
FG%
.446
.526
3FG%
.300
.636
FT%
.769
.929
RB
23
38
TO
10
12
STL
7
7
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
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