Finding ways to win

[randy]

Jan 4, 2008: Rice (10-1, 2-0) @ Texas-El Paso (5-6, 1-1)


Tip off

Good defense right form the beginning, as we led by as many as 27 pts. A good tun by UTEP towrdas the end of the 1st half, cut off their deficit by 10. Our bench has come up big again, scoring 22 pts.


Halftime, Up 39-22


Start of 2nd half


UTEP with 6 triples already in the 2nd half, 5 coming from SF Jon Horton (22 pts). But they couldn't make stops on the defensive end
9:04, Up 63-44

UTEP added 3 more hits from downtown. They cut our lead to 12 with just over 2 minutes remaining, but we quickly increased it back to 17, to douse any hopes of a successful comeback.


Final Score: Rice - 81, Texas-El Paso - 69


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 16, 8, 1 (*)
Wilson 14, 5, 5
Lewis 11, 5, 1, 3 tos
Brown 10, 4, 1, 3 stls
Hancock 10, 1, 0, 2 stls
Aylsworth 9, 1, 4
Sanders 6, 5, 0
Smith 3, 1, 0, 3 tos
Tiggs 2, 3, 1
Woods 0, 2, 6
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-47%
REB: +7
TO: -9
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +7
Fast break: +7
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Jan 4, 2008: Rice (11-1, 3-0) @ Tulane (4-8, 0-3)


Tip off

Both teams scoring at will. We shot 66% FG, while TUL converted 8 3PT shots. C Curtis Harper with 22 pts, while TUL's SG Alvin Ware already has 24 pts (5-9 3PT)


Halftime, Up 52-47
We need to find a way to contain SG Alvin Ware


Start of 2nd half

TUL's SG Alvin Ware added 2 more triples at the beginning of the 2nd half, who now has 30 pts. We made a defensive switch, putting a bigger player on Ware, and he has not scored since
11:06, Up 74-64

The defensive adjustment proved to be effective, as TUL's SG Alvin Ware became quiet, and so does the entire TUL's offense. We led by as many as 20, and TUL's mild rally in the end was too late


Final Score: Rice - 92, Tulsa - 79


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 30, 8, 2, 13-17 FG (*)
Brown 19, 6, 3, 2 stls
Lewis 10, 3, 2, 3 stls
Wilson 9, 3, 7
Hancock 7, 6, 1, 3 tos
Tiggs 6, 3, 1
Aylsworth 5, 2, 1, 3 stls
Sanders 2, 1, 0
Woods 2, 0, 4, 2 stls
Smith 2, 0, 0, 3 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 55-46%
REB: +4
TO: -3
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +2
Fast break: +1
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 4-0 (W4)
2. Rice, 4-0 (W4)
3. Marshall, 4-0 (W4)
4. Tulsa 3-1 (W2)
5. Southern Methodist, 2-2 (W1)
6. Central Florida, 2-2 (W1)
7. Southern Mississippi, 2-2 (L2)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 1-2 (L1)
9. Houston, 1-3 (L1)
10. Texas-El Paso, 1-3 (L3)
11. Tulane, 0-4 (L4)
12. East Carolina, 0-4 (L4)

[randy]

Jan 11, 2008: Marshall (8-6, 4-0) @ #23 Rice (12-1, 4-0)


Tip off

I am pleased with our defense, as MARS shooting just 37% FG and committing 12 turn overs. MARS's PG Mike Mann, who always play well against us last season, limited to just 2 pts.


Halftime, Up 37-22


Start of 2nd half

MARS's PG Mike Mann heating up in the 2nd half, connecting on 3 triples. But MARS continues to have problems with our tight defense, already having 18 turn overs.
12:08, Up 45-35

We hit a scoring slump, while MARS added 3 more from beyond the arc. Our lead was reduced to 4, before SG Daniel Aylsworth hit a much needed basket
8:10, Up 50-44

MARS remained close with their new found confidence in outside shooting. On the other hand, we're just 1-10 3PT.
3:45, Up 58-52

Another 3 by MARS' PG Mike Mann, his 4th of the 2nd half. Up 3. We turned the ball over on a traveling call. Foul called on us. Both teams in penalty. MARS hit 2 FTs. We definitely need a timeout
2:55, Up 58-57

We go to C Curtis Harper on the low post, and Harper (16 pts) delivers. Up 3. MARS' PG Mike Mann with a bad pass. That is Mann's 7th turn over. We want to go inside again. Harper gets the ball again. Harper shoots, missed, but got fouled. Harper nails both FTs.
2:13, Up 62-57

Another turn over on MARS (#24). SF Ross Brown missed, but C Curtis Harper to the rescue with an off rebound put back. Harper scoring our last 6 pts. Up 7. MARS scored 2 FTs. Timeout
1:06, Up 64-59

MARS can't stop C Curtis Harper, as he scores another inside basket. Up 7. And then Harper came with a block on the other end. We got the ball back, and PG Jevon Wilson's 2 FTs effectively sealing the game for us.

We escaped this one. We let a 17 pt lead, and MARS rallied to get to within 1 pt. Always a tough game against MARS


Final Score: Marshall - 61, Rice - 70


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 22, 11, 0, 2 blks (*)
Wilson 14, 3, 3
Lewis 10, 6, 1, 2 stls, 2 blks
Aylsworth 7, 4, 1, 3 tos
Brown 7, 2, 2, fouled out
Smith 4, 1, 2
Tiggs 4, 1, 0
Ashman 2, 0, 0
Sanders 0, 3, 0
Hancock 0, 2, 2
Woods 0, 1, 2, 3 stls
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 41-42%
REB: +2
TO: -12 (MARS: 24)
Pts in paint: +26
2nd chance: +11
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 5-0 (W5)
2. Rice, 5-0 (W5)
3. Marshall, 4-1 (L1)
4. Central Florida, 3-2 (W2)
5. Tulsa 3-2 (L1)
6. Southern Mississippi, 3-2 (W1)
7. Alabama-Birmingham, 2-3 (W1)
8. Southern Methodist, 2-3 (L1)
9. Houston, 1-4 (L2)
10. Tulane, 1-4 (W1)
11. Texas-El Paso, 1-4 (L4)
12. East Carolina, 0-5 (L5)

[randy]

Jan 14, 2008: #23 Rice (13-1, 5-0) @ Southern Methodist (7-7, 2-3)


Tip off

We shot an efficient 47% FG, and 10-13 FT, and led by as high as 15. SMU came back towards the end of the 1st half, to make this a close game. We out rebounded SMU, 21 to 11, including a 10 to 3 advantage in the offensive glass


Halftime, Up 46-40


Start of 2nd half

SMU kept knocking on the door, but we always score every time they cut our lead to 3 pts. C Curtis Harper now with a double-double, 16 pts and 10 rebs.
11:23, Up 67-59

SMU missed a succession of outside shots, and that was the window we needed to open up a 14 pt lead. SMU broke their silence by hitting a 3.
4:51, Up 78-67

We were still leading by 12 with less than 3 mins remaining. STill possible for SMU, but they committed a series of mistakes, and we simply slowed down the pace until the end


Final Score: Rice - 86, Southern Methodist - 78


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 22, 11, 0, 2 blks (*)
Tiggs 16, 4, 0, 8-9 FT
Wilson 14, 6, 3
Lewis 8, 2, 0
Aylsworth 8, 1, 3, 2 stls
Hancock 7, 2, 1
Brown 5, 3, 0
Woods 3, 3, 6
Sanders 3, 0, 0
Kante 2, 0, 0
Smith 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 51-52%
REB: +5
TO: -3
Pts in paint: +16
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 6-0 (W6)
2. Rice, 6-0 (W6)
3. Marshall, 5-1 (W1)
4. Tulsa 4-2 (W1)
5. Central Florida, 3-3 (L1)
6. Southern Mississippi, 3-3 (L1)
7. Alabama-Birmingham, 2-4 (L1)
8. Southern Methodist, 2-4 (L2)
9. Houston, 2-4 (W1)
10. Texas-El Paso, 2-4 (W1)
11. Tulane, 1-5 (L1)
12. East Carolina, 0-6 (L6)

[randy]

Jan 18, 2008: #21 Rice (14-1, 6-0) @ Southern Mississippi (7-8, 3-3)


Tip off

Our 11 offensive rebounds, and SMISS' 8 turn overs, gave us +14 in FG attempts. That was difficult for SMISS to make up, given their 36% FG shooting in the 1st half. C Curtis Harper and PG Jevon Wilson combined for 28 pts, outscoring the entire output of SMISS

Halftime, Up 46-24


Start of 2nd half

SMISS' best effort was to cut down our lead to 15, but in the end, our 53 to 33 advantage in rebounding was too much to overcome. 4 of our players had 7 or more rebounds in this game


Final Score: Rice - 79, Southern Mississippi - 53


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 25, 16, 2, 9-12 FT (*)
Wilson 18, 4, 4, 2 stls
Aylsworth 8, 7, 1
Brown 7, 1, 2
Sanders 6, 1, 0
Lewis 5, 13, 0, 2 blks
Tiggs 4, 7, 0
Hancock 2, 2, 2
Woods 2, 1, 7
Kante 2, 1, 2, 3 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 40-39%
REB: +20 (+12 off)
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +24
2nd chance: +14
Fast break: +14
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 7-0 (W7)
2. Rice, 7-0 (W7)
3. Marshall, 5-2 (L1)
4. Tulsa 5-2 (W2)
5. Central Florida, 4-3 (W1)
6. Southern Mississippi, 3-4 (L2)
7. Alabama-Birmingham, 3-4 (W1)
8. Houston, 3-4 (W2)
9. Southern Methodist, 2-5 (L3)
10. Texas-El Paso, 2-5 (L1)
11. Tulane, 1-6 (L2)
12. East Carolina, 0-7 (L7)

[randy]

Jan 21, 2008: #13 Memphis (14-2, 7-0) @ #21 Rice (15-1, 7-0)


Tip off

MEM's SG Derrick Jones, last season's CUSA POY, is #4 in the nation in scoring at 24.4 ppg

Both teams shot over 50% FG. It was MEM who had more pts inside, but we shot 4-9 3PT to make up for it. SF Ross Brown finished with 12 pts in the 1st half to lead all scorers. We did a decent defensive job against MEM's SG Derrick Jones with 9 pts, 3-8 FG.


Halftime, Up 38-37
We have to do a better job defending the interior.


Start of 2nd half

MEM's SG Derrick Jones opened the 2nd half with back-to-back 3s. C Curtis Harper has struggled so far against MEM's zone defense, still scoreless
13:37, Down 45-46

Our outside shots not falling in the 2nd half, and we dropped to 39% FG. MEM's SG Derrick Jones (24 pts) caught fire again, adding 3 more triples
8:52, Down 45-60

SF Ross Brown tried to bring us back into the game, cutting our deficit to 10. But our turn overs (17 for the game), and MEM's good use of the clock, didn't gave us much of a chance


Final Score: Memphis - 67, Rice - 55


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 21, 2, 1, 2 blks, 4 tos
Lewis 9, 2, 1, 2 blks
Woods 8, 2, 4, 3 tos, fouled out
Wilson 5, 7, 3, 3 tos
Tiggs 4, 5, 0
Hancock 4, 3, 0
Harper 2, 6, 0, 2 blks
Smith 2, 0, 0
Sanders 0, 3, 2
Aylsworth 0, 2, 1
Kante 0, 1, 0
Betts 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 36-41%
REB: -6
TO: +1
Pts in paint: -18
2nd chance: +1
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 8-0 (W8)
2. Rice, 7-1 (L1)
3. Marshall, 5-3 (L2)
4. Central Florida, 5-3 (W2)
5. Tulsa 5-3 (L1)
6. Southern Mississippi, 4-4 (W1)
7. Houston, 4-4 (W3)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 3-5 (L1)
9. Southern Methodist, 2-6 (L4)
10. Tulane, 2-6 (W1)
11. Texas-El Paso, 2-6 (L2)
12. East Carolina, 1-7 (W1)

[randy]

Jan 25, 2008: #23 Rice (15-2, 7-1) @ Houston (10-8, 4-4)


Tip off

Too many mistakes by both teams, as we combined for 21 turn overs. Slight rebounding advantage for us. C Richie Lewis with 9 pts.


Halftime, Up 39-30


Start of 2nd half

Our foul trouble enabling HOU to pull even. Hou is +18 on FT attempts now
10:33, Tied at 56

Our half court offense resulting in lots of missed chances, but we're getting some pts on transition. SF Ross Brown with 17 pts
5:57, Up 64-62

SF Ross Brown scored our last 8 pts. Had an opportunity to increase the lead to 6, but we turned the ball over (#18).
2:46, Up 72-68

A miss by HOU's SG Darrell Poole. PG Jevon Wilson fished for a foul on the other end, and converted 2 FTs. Up 6. We stole the ball away (turn over #20 for HOU). SF Ross Brown scored on a drive.
1:48, Up 76-68

HOU gets a FG back. Up 6. But SG Daniel Aylsworth answers with a 3. Up 9. HOU scores again. Up 7. We're beginning to slow the game now. HOU has to foul. Both teams in penalty. PG Jevon Wilson knocks down both FTs
0:53, Up 81-72

We converted 4 more FTs to seal the game. We shot well from the line today, 22-23 FT. Excellent game by SF Ross Brown. Brown has the ability to be a top notch scorer, but he needs to be more consistent


Final Score: Rice - 87, Houston - 77


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 31, 1, 3, 2 stls, 11-15 FG, 5-8 3PT (*)
Lewis 13, 4, 3
Wilson 12, 3, 3, 4 tos
Aylsworth 7, 4, 1
Harper 6, 9, 1
Tiggs 6, 4, 0
Hancock 4, 2, 0, 4 tos
Ashman 4, 1, 0
Woods 2, 1, 6
Smith 2, 1, 2
Sanders 0, 2, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-52%
REB: +5
TO: -3 (HOU: 21)
Pts in paint: -2
2nd chance: -4
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 9-0 (W9)
2. Rice, 8-1 (W1)
3. Marshall, 6-3 (W1)
4. Central Florida, 6-3 (W3)
5. Tulsa 5-4 (L2)
6. Southern Mississippi, 5-4 (W2)
7. Alabama-Birmingham, 4-5 (W1)
8. Houston, 4-5 (L1)
9. Southern Methodist, 2-7 (L5)
10. Tulane, 2-7 (L1)
11. Texas-El Paso, 2-7 (L3)
12. East Carolina, 1-8 (L1)

[randy]

Jan 28, 2008: East Carolina (2-16, 1-8) @ #23 Rice (16-2, 8-1)


Tip off

We raced to a 15-0 start, and never looked back. We shot 63% FG in the 1st half, and only 2 turn overs. PG Jevon Wilson with 14 pts.


Halftime, Up 54-30


Start of 2nd half

Early rest for our key players.


Final Score: East Carolina - 63, Rice - 87


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 20, 2, 4, 2 stls (*)
Harper 12, 7, 0
Lewis 11, 3, 2
Hancock 11, 1, 1, 3 tos
Woods 7, 0, 5, 2 stls
Brown 5, 3, 1
Aylsworth 5, 1, 0
Ramsey 4, 3, 0
Tiggs 4, 3, 0, fouled out
Kante 4, 0, 0
Sanders 2, 3, 0
Betts 2, 1, 0
Smith 0, 2, 5
Ashman 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 56-40%
REB: +6
TO: -8
Pts in paint: +36
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: +7
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 9-1 (L1)
2. Rice, 9-1 (W2)
3. Marshall, 7-3 (W2)
4. Central Florida, 6-4 (L1)
5. Tulsa 6-4 (W1)
6. Southern Mississippi, 6-4 (W3)
7. Houston, 5-5 (W1)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 4-6 (L1)
9. Tulane, 3-7 (W1)
10. Southern Methodist, 2-8 (L6)
11. Texas-El Paso, 2-8 (L4)
12. East Carolina, 1-9 (L2)

[randy]

Feb 1, 2008: Central Florida (9-10, 6-4) @ #23 Rice (17-2, 9-1)


Tip off

UCF committed 14 turn overs, but we were not able to make the most out of it, as we shot just 28% FG in the 1st half.


Halftime, Up 29-25


Start of 2nd half

Our FG shooting slightly improving, as we are attacking the basket here in the 2nd half. PG Jevon Wilson with 18 pts. UCF already with 19 turn overs..
11:52, Up 46-39

SG Daniel Aylsworth scoring all of his 10 pts here in the 2nd half
5:29, Up 57-47

We shook off a bad shooting day (we even missed 12 FTs), and an inury to C Richie Lewis, by playing very good team defense. and taking care of the basketball (just 3 turn overs!)


Final Score: Central Florida - 51, Rice - 68


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 26, 4, 2, 5-9 3PT (*)
Aylsworth 12, 0, 0
Harper 9, 3, 4
Hancock 7, 5, 1
Brown 7, 4, 0
Tiggs 5, 6, 2
Sanders 1, 3, 2
Lewis 1, 0, 0
Woods 0, 1, 3
Smith 0, 1, 0
Ashman 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 36-40%
REB: -10
TO: -19 (UCF: 22)
Pts in paint: +14
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 10-1 (W1)
2. Rice, 10-1 (W3)
3. Marshall, 8-3 (W3)
4. Southern Mississippi, 7-4 (W4)
5. Central Florida, 6-5 (L2)
6. Tulsa 6-5 (L1)
7. Houston, 5-6 (L1)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 4-7 (L2)
9. Tulane, 4-7 (W2)
10. Southern Methodist, 3-8 (W1)
11. Texas-El Paso, 2-9 (L5)
12. East Carolina, 1-10 (L3)

[randy]

Feb 4, 2008: #23 Rice (18-2, 10-1) @ Tulsa (9-11, 6-5)


Tip off

C Richie Lewis is slightly injured. He'll play few minutes, but won't start.

We led by 16 early, but TULSA coming back from the line, shooting 11-12 FT. Out front court depth could be a problem, with Lewis not at 100% and C Curtis Harper picking up 3 fouls in the 1st half. Reserve big men PF Kevin Tiggs and walk on C Mark Sanders have filled in well, combining for 14 pts.


Halftime, Up 43-36


Start of 2nd half

Both teams playing good defense, forcing the other into tough shot. Problem is, we're in foul trouble once again very early in the penalty.
11:41 Up 53-47

We're making defensive stops, but we're also throwing the ball away (14 turn overs)
6:51 Up 59-52

TULSA cut down our lead to 3, as they are now 21-25 from the line. PG Jevon Wilson hits a 3. After a TULSA basket, Wilson answers back with a FG.
3:43 Up 66-60

TULSA awarded 2 FTs again, but they missed both. PF Kevin Tiggs missed inside. Turn over for TULSA. C Curtis Harper missed on his initial attempt got the rebound, and the 2nd serving is good. Harper has not played much due to foul trouble, but still with 14 pts and 9 rebs.
2:28 Up 68-60

Both teams missed a 3. TULSA with another turn over. We go back down low to C Curtis Harper, and he delivers once again. Up 10. TULSA missing a 3 again. Just over a min left. We start to slow things down. They fouled Harper (penalty for TULSA), and Harper adds 2 more FTs. Up 12. That should be enough to hold on.


Final Score: Rice - 80, Tulsa - 63


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 22, 10, 0, 3 stls, 3 blks, 3 tos, 9-13 FG (*)
Wilson 16, 4, 6, 3 tos
Brown 10, 6, 0, 3 tos
Sanders 8, 8, 0
Aylsworth 7, 3, 4, 3 tos
Tiggs 6, 5, 1, 2 stls
Hancock 6, 3, 0
Smith 4, 0, 2
Ashman 1, 1, 0
Woods 0, 1, 4
Lewis 0, 0, 0
Ramsey 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 47-36%
REB: +18
TO: Even
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: -2
Fast break: +1
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 11-1 (W2)
2. Rice, 11-1 (W4)
3. Marshall, 9-3 (W4)
4. Central Florida, 7-5 (W1)
5. Southern Mississippi, 7-5 (L1)
6. Tulsa 6-6 (L2)
7. Houston, 6-6 (W1)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 4-8 (L3)
9. Tulane, 4-8 (L1)
10. Southern Methodist, 3-9 (L1)
11. Texas-El Paso, 2-10 (L6)
12. East Carolina, 2-10 (W1)