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  • Rice Shooters Get Hot in the Second Half as Owls Men's Basketball Wins Exhibition

Rice Shooters Get Hot in the Second Half as Owls Men's Basketball Wins Exhibition

Details
Basketball

Rice shot 61.8% in the second half to turn a 12-point halftime lead into a 112-68 victory over Rockhurst in its lone exhibition, Monday night at Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Story
Rice took a 6-2 lead to start the game. After a Rockhurst three-pointer, Rice went on an 8-0 run. The teams traded baskets before Mason Jones hit a triple, then made a layup to lead a 14-3 Owls run, giving them their largest lead of the half at 32-15 with 8:52 to play. The Hawks scored eight of the next 12 points to cut the lead to 11. After Travis Evee made two free throws, the teams traded baskets over the next six minutes. Nick Arensberg pulled Rockhurst within three with a minute to play, but Jake Lieppert answered with one of his own at the buzzer to send Rice into halftime with a 49-37 lead.
 
Rice came out of the break and hit five of its first six shots to take a 66-42 lead. After the Hawks hit a three, Fiedler hit a jumper from the foul line that sent Rice on a 10-0 run. Rockhurst made a jumper, but the Owls went on a 19-4 run. Rice eventually led by as many as 48 points.
 
The Stats
Rice connected on 56.7% from the field and 41.2% from three. Rockhurst was held to 37.7% from the floor but connected on 42.9% from three. Rice also outrebounded the Hawks, 46-to-26.
 
Notes
• Rice faced Rockhurst for the third time. However, this was the first exhibition game.
• 15 players saw action for the Owls with nine playing at least 10 minutes.
• Rice shot 56.7% from the field 41.2% from three.
• Rice also connected on 75.9% from the free throw line.
• The Owls held Rockhurst to 37.7% from the floor.
• Max Fielder led all players with 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
• Alem Huseinovic scored 15 points and was 4-of-6 from three.
• Mason Jones scored 13 points on 5-of-6 from the floor.
• Quincy Olivari scored 11 points and added seven rebounds and three assists.
• Travis Evee scored 12 points
• Mekhi Mason added 11 points.

Next Up
Rice begins the 2022-23 regular season next Monday, Nov. 7, when it travels to Pepperdine. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT and will be streamed by the WCC Network.