Finding ways to win

[randy]

Nov 15, 2008: Rice (0-0) @ Radford (0-0)


Tip off

We shot slightly better in this low-scoring game (36 to 27% FG), and had a 10 pt lead, but RAD able to cut their defciit in half during the last min of the 1st half.


Halftime, Up 26-21


Start of 2nd half

Dating back from the latter part of the 1st half, RAD extended their onslaught to an 18-0 run, before we finally hit a basket in the 2nd half. SG John Betts (10 pts) trying to get us back in the game, but RAD clearly having the momentum now.
13:29, Down 33-37

Our defense starting to settle down, but we keep making turn overs (esp our freshman players)
9:08, Down 38-39

We are getting good looks at the basket, but shots were simply not falling, and RAD threatening to pull away. We have also missed 7 FTs. Still down by 8 with about 2 mins left. We made a FG. After a RAD missed, we were able to fish for a foul. Both teams in the penalty. SG John Betts sinks both FTs. One last push
1:34, Down 49-53

Another miss by RAD. We called a timeout. But we turned it over again on our possession. Fortunately, RAD also had a turn over.

SF Ross Brown missing a 3. Not a good shooting day for Brown, just 3-20 FG. RAD missed a shot, but they got the off rebound. No choice but to give up fouls. RAD hit 2 more FTs to seal the game.


Final Score: Rice - 52, Radford - 57
With 7 freshmen (and 3 sophomores) in our lineup, this is going to be a long, learning season for us.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Betts 14, 0, 1
Harper 12, 7, 3, 3 stls, 3 blks
Brown 10, 7, 0
Tiggs 4, 6, 1
Young 4, 1, 0
McFadden 3, 6, 2, 3 tos
Lewis 3, 6, 1, 3 blks
Barker 2, 5, 2, 4 tos
Evans 0, 1, 0, 3 tos, fouled out
Fountain 0, 1, 0
Mason 0, 0, 0
Hahn 0, 0, 0, 3 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 34-38%
REB: +5
TO: Even
Pts in paint: Even
2nd chance: +1
Fast break: +5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 18, 2008: Oregon (0-1) @ Rice (0-1)


Tip off

OR started the game 0-11 FG and 5 turn overs, and we raced to an early 16-0 lead. OR got their offense going late in the 1st half. We hit 6-14 3PT. SF Ross Brown leads all scorers with 12 pts.


Halftime, Up 40-28


Start of 2nd half

We scored the 1st 8 pts of the 2nd half, and OR scored the next 6. Not a good shooting game for both teams, but the biggest difference of the game is OR already with 16 turn overs, while we limited our errors to just 2 so far
13:52, Up 48-34

Except at the beginning of both halves, OR has actually shot the ball well the rest of the game, and we can't put this game away despite our defense forcing 19 turn overs.
6:56, Up 64-53

OR hitting their last 3 shots from deep
3:55, Up 68-62

C Richie Lewis and C Curtis Harper each making a FG to help cool down OR. After OR made a basket, SG John Betts drains our 1st 3 of the 2nd half, and we go up by 11 with less than 2 mins left. We forced another turn over on OR, slowed down the game, and hang on for the win.


Final Score: Oregon - 68, Rice - 77
Just 3 turn overs for the entire game.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Betts 21, 1, 1, 4-7 3PT
Brown 16, 4, 3, 2 stls, 2 blks (*)
Harper 11, 8, 1, 4 blks
McFadden 10, 1, 1
Lewis 8, 8, 1, 2 stls, 3 blks
Evans 5, 1, 8
Barker 4, 0, 1
Tiggs 2, 2, 1
Mason 0, 1, 0
Fountain 0, 1, 0
Young 0, 0, 1
Piatkowski 0, 0, 0
Hahn 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 40-46%
REB: -13
TO: -18 (OR: 21)
Pts in paint: +8
2nd chance: +1
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 22, 2008: Milwaukee (0-2) @ Rice (1-1)


Tip off

Both teams shot more than 60% FG, but UWMIL turning the ball over 13 times. We are going more on the inside, challenging UWMIL's m2m defense, and C Curtis Harper has responded with 11 pts.


Halftime, Up 53-41


Start of 2nd half

We tightened up our defense, and we quickly increased our lead to as high as 20 just 3 mins into the 2nd half, with C Curtis Harper continuing to plow his way inside the paint. We coasted along the rest of the game, as our 7 freshmen played a lot of minutes during the 2nd half.


Final Score: Milwaukee - 81, Rice - 96
We scored 64 pts in the paint!


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 23, 5, 0, 2 blks (*)
Brown 15, 0, 1, 2 stls
Lewis 12, 4, 1, 2 blks
Tiggs 10, 1, 2, 2 stls
Betts 8, 1, 5, 3 stls
Young 6, 1, 1, 2 stls
Barker 6, 0, 9
Piatkowski 5, 1, 1
McFadden 4, 5, 3
Mason 3, 2, 0
Evans 2, 1, 2, 3 tos, fouled out
Fountain 2, 1, 0
Hahn 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 62-54%
REB: Even
TO: -9
Pts in paint: +48
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: +9
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 25, 2008: Cal St Northridge (2-1) @ Rice (2-1)


Tip off

Excellent defense in the 1st half, forcing CSNOR to shoot just 27% FG, including 2-16 3PT. C Curtis Harper once again dominating the inside, with 10 pts and 8 rebs, and our shooters hitting 5-11 3 PT


Halftime, Up 39-24


Start of 2nd half

After CSNOR hit a 3 to start the 2nd half, we went on a 12-0 run to extend our lead to 24. CSNOR ried to rally and cut our lead to 14, but our dominance in the glass proved too much to overcome.


Final Score: Cal St Northridge - 50, Rice - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 18, 16, 0, 2 blks (*)
Brown 17, 5, 0, 3 blks, 3-6 3PT
Lewis 12, 2, 0, 4 blks
Betts 9, 3, 3, 3 stls
Fountain 6, 6, 0
McFadden 5, 2, 1
Barker 3, 1, 3, 4 tos
Tiggs 2, 5, 2
Evans 2, 2, 6
Mason 2, 0, 1
Young 0, 5, 1
Piatkowski 0, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-30%
REB: +21 (+7 off)
TO: +2
Pts in paint: +18
2nd chance: +11
Fast break: +12
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 29, 2008: Denver (3-1) @ Rice (3-1)


Tip off

Our defense forced 15 turn overs on DEN, and helped us score 16 fast break pts

Halftime, Up 52-28


Start of 2nd half

Our scoring slowed down, but we continued to play good defense in the 2nd half not allowing DEN to make any significant run. When we are not running the floor, we set up many plays to C Curtis Harper and PF Kevin Tiggs for them to operate inside the paint.


Final Score: Denver - 57, Rice - 78


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 21, 7, 2, 3 stls (*)
Brown 18, 5, 1, 2 stls, 2 blks
Betts 11, 3, 0, 3 stls, 3-8 3PT
Tiggs 10, 4, 0
McFadden 7, 1, 1
Evans 5, 0, 6, 3 tos
Mason 4, 0, 0
Lewis 2, 7, 1, 2 blks
Barker 0, 1, 4, 2 stls
Piatkowski 0, 2, 0
Young 0, 1, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 49-44%
REB: +1
TO: -11 (DEN: 21)
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: +11
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 6, 2008: Rice (4-1) @ Wyoming (1-5)


Tip off

We shot the ball, but we still found ourselves trailing by 6 midway in the first half. Until a big run in the latter part of the half led by C Curtis Harper (16 pts, 7-7 FG) and SG Jon Betts (9 pts, 3-4 3PT). We shot 68% FG in the 1st half


Halftime, Up 60-41


Start of 2nd half

WYO beginning to make a run. After a sensational 1st half, we're shooting just 4-13 FG so far in the 2nd half.
9:54, Up 70-59

We got some much-needed bench scoring, courtesy of SF Andre McFadden and C Scot Fountain, to keep WYO at bay. Still just a 13 pt lead with 5 mins remaining. WYO had some opportunities to cut our lead further, but they missed 4 straight FTs
3:18, Up 88-71

We were content on trading baskets the rest of the way. We ran majority of our plays to get inside pts for our big men, but we also got good contributions from the other players.


Final Score: Rice - 97, Wyoming - 80


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 23, 10, 1, 3 blks, 10-12 FG (*)
Lewis 17, 6, 0, 3 blks
McFadden 12, 4, 3, 2 stls
Brown 10, 3, 3
Betts 9, 4, 0, 3-5 3PT
Fountain 7, 2, 0
Evans 5, 1, 3, 5 tos
Mason 5, 1, 0
Young 4, 0, 0
Tiggs 3, 3, 0
Barker 2, 1, 8
Piatkowski 0, 0, 1, 2 stls
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 57-46%
REB: +7
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +24
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: -6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 13, 2008: Rice (5-1) @ Tennessee (2-6)


Tip off

We won most aspects of the game, except that TENN didn't commit a turn over during the 1st 15 mins of the game, which made this game close


Halftime, Up 43-36


Start of 2nd half

Our big men getting more touches at the start of the 2nd half, helping us get a double digit lead. But every time we are poised to blow this game away, TENN able to come up with clutch baskets. SF Ross Brown is forced to sit majority of the 2nd half with 4 fouls
13:21, Up 54-48

TENN able to tie the score at least 3 times. C Richie Lewis (17 pts) and C Curtis Harper (11 pts) alternating in carrying the offensive load to keep us in the lead. Both teams in the penalty
6:26, Up 69-64

2 of our players (SF Ross Brown and PF Kevin Tiggs) have fouled out. TENN cut down our lead to 1 with 2 FTs earlier. We turned the ball over on the next possession, as we head to the final media timeout
3:54, Up 73-72

TENN finally able to get the lead as they scored on the ensuing play. We quickly regained the lead after an offensive rebound put back by SF Andre McFadden. C Curtis Harper gets a block, but TENN recovered the ball. We got called for another foul. TENN sinks both FTs. Timeout
2:42, Down 75-76

TENN gets called for a foul. We split our charities. Tied game. TENN missed. We got the rebound. SG John Betts unloads a 3, and makes it, to break the tie. But TENN answers back with a 3 of their own, their 1st triple of the entire game, after missing the previous 8 attempts. Tied game once again. Timeout
1:49, Tied at 79

A crucial turn over by PG Brent Evans, his 6th of the game. TENN able to run the break and score. We missed our shot on the next play. TENN with the ball, protecting a 2 pt lead. We're still in this game, if we can make a stop. TENN missed. Timeout
0:47, Down 79-81

Foul called on TENN. C Curtis Harper goes to the line. Harper splits.
0:36, Down 80-81

We will try to go for a steal first, and then foul. Perhaps a bad decision, as TENN able to break our pressure defense, scoring on the break plus a foul. They made the FT. I called my last timeout
0:26, Down 80-84

We'll go for a 3, and then quickly foul. SF Andrew McFadden punches one from deep. Still not over. Down 1, with 0:15 to go. We quickly fouled. TENN makes both FTs. No timeouts left. PG Brent Evans was left wide open on top of the key. Evans missed. TENN rebounded the ball, and sank a buzzer beating 3 for good measure

We did what we could to pull off a win, but luck wasn't smiling on us today. TENN missed their 1st 8 attempts from 3PT territory but made their last 2; they also missed 11 total FTs, but they made their last 5 FT attempts during the end game.


Final Score: Rice - 83, Tennessee - 89


Box Scores
[INDENT]Lewis 18, 5, 0, 2 blks
Betts 16, 3, 2
Harper 11, 8, 0
McFadden 9, 6, 1
Brown 9, 2, 1, 2 blks, fouled out
Evans 8, 1, 9, 2 stls, 6 tos
Tiggs 7, 4, 0, fouled out
Mason 5, 1, 0
Barker 0, 0, 4
Young 0, 0, 0
Piatkowski 0, 0, 0
Fountain 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-55%
REB: +1
TO: +2
Pts in paint: +2
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: -10
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 20, 2008: Rice (5-2) @ #1 LSU (9-0)


Tip off

Just what we need after a tough loss - a road game against the #1 team in the country. LSU is an average offensive team (65.7 ppg, 41% FG), but they are taking care of business on the defensive end, giving up less than 56 ppg.

We experienced early the suffocating defense of LSU, as we turned the ball over 5 times in the 1st 4 mins. We got down 10-20, and tried to stay competitive the rest of the 1st half. C Curtis Harper has played only 5 mins because of foul trouble, and is scoreless on 0-5 FG


Halftime, Down 32-40
We have given up 13 fast break pts to LSU in the 1st half because of our 12 turn overs. We need to cut that down. Both our point guards have 4 tos each


Start of 2nd half

C Richie Lewis already with a double double (19 pts, 13 rebs) to keep us within striking distance
13:37, Down 43-52

Cut the deficit down to 7 a while ago, before LSU nailed a 3.
7:55, Down 53-63

We made a string of stops on the defensive end, but we were not able to take advantage as we can't buy a basket either. Bot teams in the penalty. C Curtis Harper fouled out, going scoreless today
3:34, Down 55-65

After LSU split their FTs, C Richie Lewis (23 pts) hits a short jumper to cut our deficit to 9. LSU missed their shot on the next play, before we called a timeout. Still enough time for one final rally
2:31, Down 57-66

C Richie Lewis got fouled, but he missed the front end of a 1-and-1. We forced LSU to miss their next shot. On our next offensive play, we had 3 attempts, and we missed all of them
1:35, Down 57-66

Teams traded baskets. LSU able to waste away some time. We attempted 3s in the dying seconds, but can't make them. LSU finished the game with 2 FTs.


Final Score: Rice - 59, LSU - 70
Good news is we limited LSU to just 7 pts in the last 8 mins of the game. But the bad news is that we only scored 6 during the same period.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Lewis 25, 15, 0, 2 blks
Brown 11, 7, 1, 3 blks, 4 tos
Tiggs 8, 4, 1, 2 stls
McFadden 4, 0, 0
Piatkowski 4, 0, 0
Betts 3, 5, 1
Evans 2, 2, 6, 5 tos
Barker 2, 0, 4, 5 tos
Harper 0, 7, 0, 3 blks
Young 0, 0, 1
Mason 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 38-44%
REB: +6
TO: +1
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: -7
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 23, 2008: (5) Rice (5-3) vs (4) Baylor (5-5)


Tip off

Started slowly trailing 12-18, but finished the 1st half strongly with 29-5 run. We controlled the boards, and forced BAY to 11 turn overs. SF Ross Brown leads all scorers with 11 pts.


Halftime, Up 41-23


Start of 2nd half

An 11-0 run to start the 2nd half put the results of this game beyond doubt. BAY didn't convert a FG during the 1st 6 mins of the 2nd half. Our bench players got plenty of action today.


Final Score: Rice - 72, Baylor - 60


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 14, 10, 1 (*)
Lewis 12, 5, 0, 2 stls, 3 blks
Brown 11, 5, 3
Betts 7, 1, 0, 3 tos
Piatkowski 5, 2, 0
Tiggs 4, 3, 1
Barker 4, 1, 4
Mason 4, 0, 0
Fountain 4, 0, 0
Evans 3, 2, 5
McFadden 2, 3, 2
Ramsey 2, 1, 1
Young 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-42%
REB: +2
TO: -7
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 24, 2008: (5) Rice (6-3) vs (8) Washington (6-3)


Tip off

Both teams getting to the penalty early, forcing our respective benches to play more. Our bench provided the difference in this game, outscoring WASH's 2nd unit 29-20, led by SF Andre McFadden with a game-high 11 pts.


Halftime, Up 40-32


Start of 2nd half

SG Jon Betts, who was scoreless in the 1st half, already has 10 pts here in the 2nd half, including a pair of 3PT shots.
13:08, Up 55-42

Teams exchanging mini-runs. We extended the lead to 17, but WASH able to bounce back and cut their deficit to 9. We then scored 4 straight pts. We are in the penalty
7:22, Up 67-54

We were able to keep our scoreboard running, thanks in part to the quality minutes provided by backup PF Sam Piatowski (8 pts, 4 rebs).
3:33, Up 73-60

A small 7-2 run in the next 2 mins was enough to seal this game for us. No single player dominated the game, but I am pleased that several players made significant contributions for this win.


Final Score: Rice - 83, Washington - 64


Box Scores
[INDENT]McFadden 17, 2, 2, 7-8 FG
Brown 12, 9, 3, 3 stls, 3 tos (*)
Harper 11, 7, 0
Betts 10, 0, 1
Piatowski 8, 4, 1
Lewis 8, 3, 2, 2 stls, 2 blks
Tiggs 7, 6, 0
Barker 5, 2, 1, 4 tos
Young 2, 0, 1, 2 stls
Fountain 2, 1, 0
Evans 1, 3, 3, 3 tos
Mason 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-44%
REB: +13 (+13 off)
TO: -2 (WASH: 21)
Pts in paint: +14
2nd chance: +15
Fast break: +12
[/INDENT]