Finding ways to win

[randy]

#60: Sr C Richie Lewis

[randy]

Dec 2, 2009: Rice (6-1) @ Hawaii (2-3)


Tip off

We shot the ball a little (51-44%) accounting for the difference in score. SF Andre McFadden with 14 pts, with support coming from C Curtis Harper scoring 12 pts


Halftime, Up 44-37


Start of 2nd half

C Curtis Harper went to work early, soring 7 of our 1st 9 pts in the 2nd half. Our defense starting to get better, helping us create some separation..
13:41, Up 58-43

C Curtis Harper picked up his 4th foul and has to sit. We lost our edge on defensive end, esp on the paint, and HAW beginning to knock on the doors. Both teams in the penalty
7:17, Up 68-59

I took a risk and brought back Harper. He helped control our defense inside the paint, and also grabbed some boards. A small 7-1 run helped us reestablish a 15 pt lead with under 5 mins remaining. Harper fouled out a few mins later, but our lead was enough cushion to hang on for the win


Final Score: Rice - 86, Hawaii - 68


Box Scores
[INDENT]McFadden 22, 2, 0, 3-6 3PT
Harper 21, 9, 0, 2 stls, 2 blks, 7-8 FG (*)
Brown 10, 8, 0, 3 blks
Tiggs 10, 7, 1, 2 stls
Fountain 6, 6, 0
Richard 5, 2, 0
Barker 4, 0, 7, 3 tos
Phillips 4, 0, 0
Young 2, 3, 1
Evans 2, 0, 3
Piatowski 0, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 45-42%
REB: +9 (+7 off)
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 6, 2009: Rice (7-1) @ Southern Illinois (3-3)


Tip off

We barely hang on to the lead despite limiting SILL to just 33% FG. Our 8 turn overs has something to do with the close score; C Curtis with 4 of those errors.


Halftime, Up 30-26


Start of 2nd half

Some outstanding defense (8 blocks so far) allowed us to open up a 12 pt lead early in the 2nd half. We continue to build our lead by contesting every shot, and attacking the basket on offense.
13:43, Up 48-31

SILL got settled on offense and started making shots, but they had no answer defensively when we attack the basket. A good win for us. I am pleased with the aggressiveness shown by the players at both ends of the floor.


Final Score: Rice - 82, Southern Illinois - 68


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 24, 8, 0, 5 blks, 3 tos (*)
Harper 16, 8, 0, 4 blks, 5 tos
Piatowski 13, 9, 0
McFadden 12, 3, 3
Young 6, 2, 2
Barker 4, 1, 6
Evans 3, 2, 0, 4 tos
Tiggs 2, 3, 0
Fountain 2, 3, 0
Fast 0, 1, 1
Richard 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-39%
REB: +16
TO: +8
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 13, 2009: Mount St Mary (3-4) @ #25 Rice (8-1)


Tip off

We established our defense early, and then our offense followed suit. We shot 56% FG in the 1st half. C Curtis led our balance scoring effort with 12 pts, plus 3 blks.


Halftime, Up 42-24


Start of 2nd half

Lead was 23 with less than 13 mins remaining. I started pulling out my starters, and our bench finished the job for us


Final Score: Mount St Mary - 53, Rice - 73


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 20, 8, 1, 4 blks (*)
McFadden 11, 3, 2
Piatowski 9, 0, 0
Brown 8, 6, 3, 2 blks
Fountain 6, 4, 0, 3 tos
Richard 6, 0, 3
Young 5, 3, 1
Evans 2, 5, 4, 2 stls
Tiggs 2, 4, 0
Phillips 2, 2, 0
Barker 2, 1, 2
Fast 0, 1, 0
Johnson 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 47-35%
REB: +8
TO: -4
Pts in paint: +36
2nd chance: +2
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 20, 2009: Northeastern (3-5) @ Rice (9-1)


Tip off

We made 10 of our 1st 13 shots, en route to a 59% FG performance in the 1st half. SF Ross Brown having a good overall performance so far, with 13 pts, 4 rebs, and 3 blks.


Halftime, Up 48-30


Start of 2nd half

NORTH made 7 3PT shots in the 2nd half, but that was after we already established a 26 pt lead, enough to cruise our way to another blowout win. We shot 24-25 FTs today (96%)


Final Score: Northeastern - 66, Rice - 87


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 23, 9, 0, 4 blks (*)
Harper 18, 12, 1, 3 blks
McFadden 14, 7, 1
Piatowski 9, 6, 1
Tiggs 7, 3, 0
Young 5, 3, 4, 3 tos
Evans 4, 2, 3
Barker 4, 0, 3
Fountain 3, 3, 1
Johnson 0, 1, 0
Richard 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 45-40%
REB: +17 (+7 off)
TO: -4
Pts in paint: +26
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +8
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 27, 2009: #14 Houston (9-2, 0-0) @ Rice (10-1, 0-0)


Tip off

After a slow start, both teams have made this game a high-scoring affair thus far. HOU shot 50% FG, while we fared better at 56% FG including 6-11 3PT. SF ROss Brown the leading scorer so far, with 15 pts and 3-6 3PT


Halftime, Up 43-37


Start of 2nd half

Whoever can play just a little better defense will likely win this game. So far in the 2nd half, we've doing just that, outscoring HOU 15-10
12:26, Up 58-47

We extended the lead to 14, and was able to keep that distance, as SF Ross Brown went on a scoring spree. HOU now beginning to make a final run.
4:05, Up 76-68

HOU able to convert on a reverse 3pt play. Teams traded baskets. We missed our last shot. HOU with an opportunity to cut our lead further. They turned the ball. Lucky break. Timeout
2:31, Up 78-73

We missed our shot. And we got called for a foul on the other end. We're in the penalty. Foul count in the 2nd half is 9-1 in HOU's favor. HOU made both FTs. Down 3. SF Andre McFadden missed a hurried 3. HOU with chance to cut our lead to 1 (or tie); they also missed. This time I called a timeout
1:22, Up 78-75

We missed again. Ball out of bounds, and the refs said its our ball. SF Ross Brown got fouled while attempting a shot. Brown calmly sinks both FTs. Up 5 with less than a min to go. HOU missed their 1st shot, but got the offensive rebound. And then we got called for a foul. HOU made both FTs. Timeout
0:42, Up 80-77

We went back to SF Ross Brown. Brown started to make his move. Traveling! HOU called a timeout. 0:32 left. We are thinking they wuld put up a 3. But they surprised us opting for a drive. Wide open layup - they missed it! We passed the ball around. HOU not able to foul. Game over


Final Score: Houston - 77, Rice - 80
We got lucky on this one. Our defense wasn't at its best, but HOU is very good offensive team. The return game at their home floor should be another tight match.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 27, 2, 1, 3 stls, 3 tos (*)
McFadden 16, 8, 0
Young 12, 3, 1
Piatowski 8, 3, 1, 2 stls
Fountain 6, 2, 1
Harper 5, 7, 2
Fast 4, 0, 0
Barker 2, 2, 4
Tiggs 0, 3, 1
Evans 0, 1, 8, 3 tos
Richard 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 47-49%
REB: -4
TO: -7
Pts in paint: Even
2nd chance: -3
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 1-0 (W1)
2. Rice, 1-0 (W1)
3. Southern Miss, 1-0 (W1)
4. Marshall, 1-0 (W1)
5. Tulsa 1-0 (W1)
6. Texas-El Paso, 1-0 (W1)
7. Houston, 0-1 (L1)
8. Central Florida, 0-1 (L1)
9. Tulane, 0-1 (L1)
10. East Carolina, 0-1 (L1)
11. Southern Methodist, 0-1 (L1)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-1 (L1)

[randy]

Dec 30, 2009: Alabama-Birmingham (3-7, 0-1) @ Rice (11-1, 1-0)


Tip off

UAB started out well by making 4 of its 1st 6 shots. When our defense adjusted to UAB's fast pace offense, ended up shooting just 36% FG in the 1st half. Our poor 1-10 3PT shooting was offset by our 24 pts in the paint. SF Ross Brown with 15 pts and 7 rebs


Halftime, Up 43-34


Start of 2nd half

UAB putting up quick 3 pointers, and applying pressure defense, to quicken up the pace. It produced mixed results, but hasn't down much to cut to our lead. We were still leading by 10 with less 5 mins left. Until UAB scored 2 straight baskets. Timeout. We need to break out this habit of giving up leads in the 2nd half
3:22, Up 70-64

SF Ross Brown missed his shot. But we forced a tun over on the other end to get the ball back. Brown missed again. And then UAB hits a big 3! Timeout
2:16, Up 70-67

SF Ross Brown has the ball again. Brown drives, and this time he made sure, and scores. A clutch hit. Up 5. C Curtis Harper gets a steal, and throws an outlet pass to PF Sam Piatowski, who scores on a jam. Up 7. UAB puts up a quick 3. Missed. Harper grabs his 15th rebound of the game. UAB had to foul. SF Andre McFadden made both FT. Up 9 with just over a min remaining. UAB with another missed 3, and that should do it.


Final Score: Alabama-Birmingham - 69, Rice - 78
Another close one. We're 2-0, but it could have easily been 0-2.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 19, 7, 1, 4 stls (*)
Harper 16, 16, 2, 2 stls
Piatowski 11, 6, 0, 3 tos
Tiggs 8, 4, 0
Fountain 8, 3, 1
Barker 7, 1, 2
McFadden 6, 3, 1, 2 blks
Richard 2, 1, 1
Evans 1, 3, 5
Fast 0, 1, 0
Young 0, 0, 0, fouled out
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 43-38%
REB: +15 (+9 off)
TO: +4
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +12
Fast break: +12
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 2-0 (W2)
2. Rice, 2-0 (W2)
3. Southern Miss, 2-0 (W2)
4. Marshall, 2-0 (W2)
5. Central Florida, 1-1 (W1)
6. Tulsa 1-1 (L1)
7. Tulane, 1-1 (W1)
8. Texas-El Paso, 1-1 (L1)
9. Houston, 0-2 (L2)
10. East Carolina, 0-2 (L2)
11. Southern Methodist, 0-2 (L2)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-2 (L2)

[randy]

Jan 3, 2010: Rice (12-1, 2-0) @ Texas-El Paso (6-5, 1-1)


Tip off

We're 12-1, and has beaten a ranked team (HOU), and yet we're still unranked. Tsk tsk ...

Our 38% FG was only slightly better than that of UTEP (36% FG). The big difference has been our 13 offensive rebounds, leading to 14 2nd chance chance pts. Kevin Tiggs has 6 off rebounds already


Halftime, Up 38-28


Start of 2nd half

Challenge for us now is to maintain the level of intensity we've shown in the 1st half. So far so good, as we keep on attacking UTEP's interior defense, forcing them to be in the penalty early.
12:05, Up 57-41

We're struggling to make shots, butof defense and rebounding remains solid even with our 2nd unit on the floor
6:35, Up 65-50

We made our next 3 shots, followed by 2 FTs. Lead was 18 with less than 4 mins left. That was enough to hold on for the win


Final Score: Rice - 78, Texas-El Paso - 59
A good make-up game for SG Jimmy Young, who had horrible performance during our last game


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 20, 4, 1, 3 tos, 3-6 3PT (*)
Harper 12, 10, 0, 2 blks
Young 12, 2, 2, 2 stls
McFadden 10, 7, 2
Piatowski 9, 3, 0
Fountain 7, 3, 0
Tiggs 4, 6, 0
Phillips 2, 2, 0
Evans 2, 1, 2
Barker 0, 1, 2, 6 tos
Johnson 0, 0, 1
Richard 0, 0, 0
Fast 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-38%
REB: +15 (+10 off)
TO: Even
Pts in paint: +18
2nd chance: +19 (21-2)
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Rice, 3-0 (W3)
2. Southern Miss, 3-0 (W3)
3. Marshall, 3-0 (W3)
4. Memphis, 2-1 (L1)
5. Houston, 1-2 (W1)
6. Central Florida, 1-2 (L1)
7. Tulane, 1-2 (L1)
8. East Carolina, 1-2 (W1)
9. Tulsa 1-2 (L2)
10. Texas-El Paso, 1-2 (L2)
11. Alabama-Birmingham, 1-2 (W1)
12. Southern Methodist, 0-3 (L3)

[randy]

Jan 6, 2010: Rice (13-1, 3-0) @ Tulane (8-4, 1-2)


Tip off

Another match up against TUL's Alvin Ware. We're hoping he doesn't get hot like what he did in this building last season (30 pts).

Ware, and the rest of his team, had a nightmare offensive start, missing 14 of their 1st 15 shots. TUL finished the 1st half 6-22 FG (22%); Ware with 3 pts on 1-7 FG. C Curtis Harper was dominant for us on the inside, with 13 pts and 7 rebs


Halftime, Up 39-19


Start of 2nd half

TUL hitting 4 early triples in the 2nd half (3 by SG Alvin Ware), and they have already matched their out during the entire 1st half. But they are not getting any stops on defense, as our lead remains the same almost halfway into the 2nd half.
11:27, Up 58-38

TUL made 3 more 3s, and has also scored heavily on the FT line. They got to within 11 with still more than 4 mins to go. We threw away a pass for our 15th turn over. TUL scores again. Lead is down to 9. We missed. Chance for TUL to get even closer. They miss. We secure the rebound. I had to call a timeout.
3:15, Up 72-63

TUL gets a block, and recovered the ball. They shoot a 3. Miss. On our next play, SF Andre McFadden got foul as he was driving to the basket. McFadden missed both FTs. Another chance for TUL. But we get a steal. Fastbreak to PG Jovan Barker for the easy 2. Up 11, less than 2 mins. We get another steal, this time on TUL's back court. C Curtis Harper got fouled on his shot, and he scored 2 FTs. Up 13. It would take a miracle comeback to let this game slip away.


Final Score: Rice - 79, Tulane - 65


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 24, 11, 1, 3 blks (*)
Brown 16, 7, 3, 2 stls, 2 blks
Piatowski 11, 4, 0, 2 blks
Fountain 8, 4, 0
McFadden 7, 5, 0, 2 stls, 4 tos
Barker 7, 0, 4
Tiggs 4, 7, 0
Young 2, 1, 0
Evans 0, 1, 1, fouled out
Fast 0, 1, 1
Richard 0, 0, 0
Johnson 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-36%
REB: +13
TO: -4
Pts in paint: +34
2nd chance: +6
Fast break: -1
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Rice, 4-0 (W4)
2. Marshall, 4-0 (W4)
3. Southern Miss, 3-1 (L1)
4. Memphis, 3-1 (W1)
5. Central Florida, 2-2 (W1)
6. Tulsa 2-2 (W1)
7. Texas-El Paso, 2-2 (W1)
8. Houston, 1-3 (L1)
9. Tulane, 1-3 (L2)
10. East Carolina, 1-3 (L1)
11. Alabama-Birmingham, 1-3 (L1)
12. Southern Methodist, 0-4 (L4)

[randy]

Jan 10, 2010: Marshall (8-5, 4-0) @ Rice (14-1, 4-0)


Tip off

Game is turning out to be low scoring, defense oriented affair. We managed to shoot a little better at 35% FG, compared to MARS' 28% FG.


Halftime, Up 31-24


Start of 2nd half

We already have 5 tun overs in the 2nd half (we only had 4 the entire 1st half), and this has allowed MARS to get their offense going getting easy shots
10:43, Up 46-44

Our 2nd unit trying hard to hold off MARS. We got into the penalty. MARS' last 2 FTs gave them the lead.
6:05, Down 54-55

2 unproductive possessions by both teams, before SF Sam Piatkowski scored an inside basket to retake the lead. Up 1. Another miss by MARS. SF Ross Brown drives and scores. Up 3. We get a steal, and scores on the break. A quick 6-0 run. MARS calls a timeout
3:41, Up 60-55

MARS gets a basket to stop our run. Up 3. I am playing with a 2 PG lineup. Freshman PG Hayletts Johnson puts up a 3, and he makes it! What a big time shot by the youngster. Hayletts has scored our last 5 pts. Up 6. MARS answers with an inside basket. Up 4. C Curtis Harper trying to get it back, but he missed. I was begging for a foul, but to no avail. MARS missed. I called a timeout
2:12, Up 63-59

We go back to C Curtis Harper. Harper puts up a shot, but he was smothered. No foul again. The refs ignore me once again. MARS missed a 3. But we wasted our next possession with a bad pass. MARS' C Treva Mouton challenging Harper on the low post. Mouton makes his move, and he scores once again. Mouton (14 pts, 10 rebs) has scored MARS' last 6 pts. Timeout
1:12, Up 63-61

C Curtis Harper gets the ball. Harper hasn't had success taking the ball inside the past 2 plays, so he puts up a medium range jumper. Normally a bad shot for him, but he makes the shot! Up 4. But not for long as MARS puts up a 3 and scores! Timeout
0:44, Up 65-64

MARS switching to m2m defense. We should go inside, but SF ROss Brown electing to take a 3. Missed. An ill-advised shot. Timeout MARS.
0:32, Up 65-64

MARS' PF Patrick Haynes takes a tough fade away jumper, and scores! I called my last timeout
0:23, Down 65-66

MARS wisely giving a foul. Only their 6th. 0:14 left. We reset our play. SF Andre McFadden gets the ball on the right corner. McFadden's jumper is good! Timeout MARS.
0:10, Up 67-66

We press m2m. MARS' SG Jeremy Bryant has the ball. He dribbles quickly to their front court. He is hounded by SF Andre McFadden. Bryant puts up a tough running shot. It goes in! 0:03. No timeouts left. We were not able to put up a shot. What a sorry loss for us.


Final Score: Marshall - 68, Rice - 67
After giving up just 28% FG during the 1st half, we allowed MARS to score 44 pts in the 2nd half.


Box Scores
[INDENT]McFadden 17, 1, 0
Harper 14, 12, 3, 3 stls
Brown 12, 7, 1, 3 blks
Piatowski 8, 3, 0
Tiggs 5, 3, 0
Johnson 5, 1, 0
Fountain 4, 2, 1
Barker 2, 1, 10
Richard 0, 2, 3
Young 0, 1, 0, 3 tos
Evans 0, 0, 1, 3 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 41-45%
REB: +8
TO: +1
Pts in paint: +10
2nd chance: -2
Fast break: Even
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Marshall, 5-0 (W5)
2. Memphis, 4-1 (W2)
3. Rice, 4-1 (L1)
4. Southern Miss, 4-1 (W1)
5. East Carolina, 2-3 (W1)
6. Central Florida, 2-3 (L1)
7. Tulsa 2-3 (L1)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 2-3 (W1)
9. Tulane, 2-3 (W1)
10. Texas-El Paso, 2-3 (L1)
11. Houston, 1-4 (L2)
12. Southern Methodist, 0-5 (L5)