Finding ways to win

[randy]

Dec 25, 2008: (3) Northwestern (5-5) vs (5) Rice (7-3)


Tip off

Slow start for either team. Holding on with a slim 27-26 lead with just over 4 mins left, we finished the 1st half strongly with 13-1 run. C Richie Lewis led all scorers with 9 pts. It was NWEST's bench who did most of the scoring for them, accounting for 18 of their 27 pts.


Halftime, Up 40-27


Start of 2nd half

NWEST's starting unit beginning to put some pts, including a couple from 3. C Curtis Harper responding with 9 of his 13 pts inthe so far in the 2nd half, but he just picked up his 4th foul.
13:25, Up 55-40

Our 2nd unit did a decent job (esp on defense) holding on to our double-digit lead, before we start returning back our starters.
7:08, Up 67-55

Our lead still at 15 with just over 2 mins left, and with NWEST shooting below 40% FG, that was enough cushion to ensure this win.

JAG Invitational Champions!


Final Score: Northwestern - 70, Rice - 81


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 18, 5, 2, 2 stls, 4 blks (*)
Lewis 13, 4, 0
Brown 10, 5, 1, 4 blks
Betts 10, 1, 1
Tiggs 7, 5, 0
Fountain 6, 1, 1
McFadden 6, 1, 0
Piatowski 4, 4, 0
Barker 4, 1, 2, 3 tos
Evans 2, 1, 4, 3 stls, 4 tos, fouled out
Hahn 1, 0, 0
Young 0, 2, 2
Mason 0, 1, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-40%
REB: +1
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +16
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 27, 2008: Rice (8-3, 0-0) @ Houston (7-3, 0-0)


Tip off

A hard-fought 1st half, in which we shot just 31% FG. We find ourselves still trailing despite our advantage in 2nd chance pts (+7) and fast break pts (+8)

Halftime, Up 27-28


Start of 2nd half

Took more than 5 minutes for HOU to score in the 2nd half as we clamped down on defense. But we have turned the ball over 7 time already in the 2nd half, wasting opportunities to get ourselves ahead.
13:32, Tied at 33

Our shooting then went ice cold, and HOU surged ahead with a 9-0 run, which is huge in this low-scoring game. We are also in the penalty
7:23, Down 40-47

We forced 3 successive turnovers on HOU. SF Ross Brown and SG Jon Betts hit back-to-back 3s to get ourselves back in the driver's seat
5:37, Up 48-47

Lead changing hands several times. We were leading by 2 after a 3 by SG Jon Betts. We get another block (our 10th), but HOU able to recover the loose ball for an easy lay in. Game tied. We missed. HOU knocks down a 3. Timeout
1:06, Down 53-56

SF Ross Brown missed 2 shots in our next possession. We get a steal. Brown gets the ball again. Brown is 6-23 FG so far. Brown bravely attempts a 3. It's in!
0:30, Tied at 56

SF Ross Brown called for his 4th foul, while fouling a jump shooter. I was furious with the refs. HOU splits their FTs. Timeout
0:12, Down 56-57

SF Ross Brown gets the ball beyond the arc. Brown gets closer, pulls up a jumper. Miss. But C Richie Lewis is there for the rebound. We are yelling at him to shoot. Lewis shoots. Lewis scores! Timeout HOU
0:02, Up 58-57

HOU didn't get a shot off. An escape win, but we'll take it


Final Score: Rice - 58, Houston - 57
Our bench contributed just 4 pts today


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 18, 5, 2
Lewis 16, 11, 0, 2 blks, 3 tos (*)
Betts 11, 4, 2, 6 stls
Harper 6, 10, 0, 5 blks
Evans 3, 0, 5, 4 tos
McFadden 2, 1, 0
Barker 2, 1, 1
Tiggs 0, 6, 3, 2 stls
Young 0, 3, 1
Piatowski 0, 1, 1
Mason 0, 0, 1
Hahn 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 34-35%
REB: +4
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: +7
Fast break: +10
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Dec 30, 2008: Rice (9-3, 1-0) @ Alabama-Birmingham (3-7, 0-1)


Tip off

We were running at every opportunity, getting a commanding 21-0 advantage in fast break pts. C Curtis Harper and SF Ross each finished with 13 pts in the 1st half.


Halftime, Up 53-38


Start of 2nd half

UAB shot 55% FG in the 1st half, but only 4-12 in the 2nd half so far. We continue to attack the basket on offense.
11:32, Up 66-49

We started taking ill-advised outside shots, and UAB got to within 9 pts. We went back to driving to the basket to regain control of the game.
6:31, Up 72-57

With C Curtis Harper operating on the low post, and SF Ross Brown slashing to the lane, we had enough options to create defensive problems for UAB. We extended the lead to 25 with less than 3 mins left, and coasted for a comfortable win.


Final Score: Rice - 86, Alabama-Birmingham - 64
We scored 37 fast break pts


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 23, 7, 2, 3 stls, 2 blks (*)
Brown 21, 5, 1
Betts 9, 4, 3, 3-4 3PT
Tiggs 9, 4, 0
Lewis 8, 9, 0, 2 blks
McFadden 6, 2, 1
Fountain 4, 1, 0
Evans 2, 1, 11, 5 tos
Mason 2, 1, 2
Barker 2, 0, 3, 4 tos
Young 0, 2, 1
Hahn 0, 0, 1
Piatowski 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 51-41%
REB: +10
TO: -6 (UAB: 20)
Pts in paint: +32
2nd chance: +8
Fast break: +29
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Jan 3, 2009: Texas-El Paso (2-9, 0-2) @ Rice (10-3, 2-0)


Tip off

Our defense allowed just 34% FG for UTEP, and also forced 10 turn overs. C Curtis Harper with 12 pts and 7 rebs. UTEP's front court not being able to match up against our big men, and had to give up many fouls


Halftime, Up 41-26


Start of 2nd half

UTEP is 4-6 3PT in the 2nd half, but it hasn't done much in slicing our lead, as we continue to find success scoring inside.
13:29, Up 59-42

We extended the lead to 25 midway in the 2nd half, as our effort on defense was excellent today. We finished the game with 10 blks and 12 stls, and UTEP didn't stand much of a chance.


Final Score: UTEP - 56, Rice - 81
Bad news though is that C Curtis Harper suffered a strained knee, and will be out for a week


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 26, 12, 1 (*)
Lewis 12, 8, 0, 2 stls
Betts 7, 2, 2, 2 stls
Barker 7, 1, 2
McFadden 6, 2, 2, 2 stls
Brown 6, 2, 1, 6 blks
Tiggs 5, 2, 0
Evans 4, 1, 4
Piatowski 2, 2, 1, 2 stls
Hahn 2, 2, 1
Young 2, 1, 2
Mason 2, 0, 2
Fountain 0, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 52-33%
REB: +8
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +30
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +14
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Jan 6, 2009: Tulane (6-6, 1-2) @ Rice (11-3, 3-0)


Tip off

It was raining 3s in the 1st half, as both team had 8 triples each. With the absence of C Curtis Harper, SF Ross Brown and SG Jon Betts led our scoring combining for 30 pts.


Halftime, Up 42-40
We were lucky to match up against TUL's long shots, but we need to do a better of defending the perimeter in the 2nd half


Start of 2nd half

The shootout continues, as both teams shooting close to 60% FG, and adding a couple more 3s in the 2nd half. TUL having 12 turn overs accounts for the difference so far.
13:51, Up 60-53

Back-to-back 3s by SG Jon Betts earlier, followed by a penetration by SF Andre McFadden gave us a 15 pt lead, and forced TUL to burn a timeout
8:52, Up 74-59

We got a couple more stops, SF Ross Brown 5 straight pts, and we're suddenly up by 20. Still more than 7 mins left, but that run of ours has took TUL by surprise and they never recovered


Final Score: Tulane - 67, Rice - 84
The absence of C Curtis Harper was evident, as we only had 2 offensive rebounds the entire game (and zero 2nd chance pts). We needed to make our outside shots to compensate, and luckily our shots were falling in. We converted 14 shots from beyond the arc, while TUL had 11.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 28, 8, 0, 3 blks, 4-9 3PT (*)
Betts 25, 3, 4, 7-11 3PT
McFadden 12, 7, 0
Lewis 8, 2, 1, 2 stls
Evans 5, 1, 7
Fountain 4, 0, 3
Piatowski 2, 0, 1
Tiggs 0, 2, 4, 2 stls
Hahn 0, 2, 1
Barker 0, 1, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 53-43%
REB: -7
TO: -7
Pts in paint: +8
2nd chance: -10
Fast break: -3
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Jan 10, 2009: #24 Rice (12-3, 4-0) @ Marshall (10-5, 4-0)


Tip off

C Curtis Harper is still slightly injured, but suited up to play. I would most likely sit him this game though.

We got ourselves a good start with a 9-2 lead. But MARS came back quickly, and the game has been very since, with no team leading by more than 4 pts. Both teams with 8 offensive rebounds each. SF Ross Brown with 9 pts; C Richie Lewis having a good game with 8 pts, 10 rebs, 4 blks, but he is 0-5 from the line.


Halftime, Up 36-34
We shot 53% FG, but the key is our turnovers; we already have 11.


Start of 2nd half

5 more turn overs, and all of a sudden we're down by 10. We came strongly, on the backs of SF Ross Brown (15 pts) and C Richie Lewis (12 pts), and cut our deficit to 1. MARS answered with 5 straight pts, as we added a couple more turn overs (18 for the game)
11:02, Down 51-57

We got into the penalty, which slowed down our momentum in trying to bounce back.
5:11, Down 61-69

Deficit increased to 10, 63-73. We scored 2 straight FGs. Just down 6, with 1:43 left. We made a stop. Opportunity to cut it down to 4 (or 3), but we made a bad pass, our 22nd turn over of the game. MARS scored 2 FTs, which forced us to shoot 3s, and give up fouls the rest of the game.


Final Score: Rice - 67, Marshall - 81
We did well on the boards. We defended their shooters (MARS is 4-17 3PT), but we shot ourselves in the foot here with those errors.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 15, 10, 0, 4 tos
Lewis 14, 11, 1, 5 blks
Tiggs 11, 3, 0
Betts 10, 0, 2, 3 stls
Piatowski 4, 9, 0
Fountain 4, 2, 0
Barker 4, 1, 3
Evans 3, 1, 5, 7 tos, fouled out
McFadden 2, 3, 1
Hahn 0, 0, 0, 3 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 53-43%
REB: -7
TO: -7
Pts in paint: +8
2nd chance: -10
Fast break: -3
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Central Florida, 5-0 (W5)
2. Marshall, 5-0 (W5)
3. Rice, 4-1 (L1)
4. Memphis, 3-2 (L2)
5. Houston, 2-3 (W2)
6. Southern Mississippi, 2-3 (L3)
7. East Carolina, 2-3 (L1)
8. Tulane, 2-3 (W1)
9. Tulsa 2-3 (W1)
10. Texas-El Paso, 1-4 (L1)
11. Southern Methodist, 1-4 (W1)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 1-4 (L2)

[randy]

Jan 13, 2009: Southern Methodist (3-11, 1-4) @ #24 Rice (12-4, 4-1)


Tip off

C Curtis Harper is back, and he immediately made his presence felt scoring 9 of our 1st 12 pts; he finished the 1st half with 13 pts, 5 rebs. We had an early 19-4 lead, but SMU outside shooting got them back in the game.


Halftime, Up 41-40


Start of 2nd half

Our defense slightly better here in the 2nd half. But we need to convert those FTs; we have missed 11 from the line, with C Richie Lewis going 0-6.
14:10, Up 50-46

SG Jon Betts has been efficient today, 18 pts on 7-8 FG, and complemented well with the inside game of C Curtis Harper (22 pts). SMU got into some turn over problems, allowing us to create some distance
7:54, Up 71-57

When Harper and Betts were resting on the becnh earlier, it was SF Ross Brown and SF Andre McFadden's turn to carry our offense, and douse any rally that SMU is thinking. Great team effort today.


Final Score: Southern Methodist - 67, Rice - 89
C Curtis Harper suffers yet another injury, this time a strained calf. He'll be out 2 weeks.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Harper 22, 10, 1, 4 blks, 10-11 FT (*)
Betts 20, 0, 4, 2 stls, 4-5 3PT
McFadden 14, 2, 2
Brown 11, 3, 2
Tiggs 8, 3, 1, 2 stls
Lewis 4, 3, 1
Piatowski 4, 3, 0
Evans 2, 3, 7, 3 tos
Ramsey 2, 3, 0
Fountain 2, 1, 0
Young 0, 1, 0
Barker 0, 0, 2, 3 tos
Mason 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-42%
REB: +3
TO: -10 (SMU: 22)
Pts in paint: +26
2nd chance: -4
Fast break: -5
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Jan 17, 2009: Southern Miss (8-7, 2-4) @ #23 Rice (13-4, 5-1)


Tip off

SF Ross Brown on target today, finishing the 1st half with 19 pts, including 4 from downtown. SMISS already with 14 turn overs


Halftime, Up 45-28


Start of 2nd half

We were coasting along with our 2nd unit middle of the 2nd half. SMISS slowly chopping away our lead, which they reduced to as little as 9 with 7 mins left. My starters are back on the floor.
4:34, Up 69-59

SMISS came to within 8. But a 14-2 run, highlighted by 2 3PT shots from SG Jon Betts, sealed this win for us.


Final Score: Southern Miss - 66, Rice - 86
We were careless for sometime there, but we recovered just in time. We shot an atrocious 17-35 FT today.


Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 30, 8, 4, 4 stls, 5-10 3PT (*)
Betts 13, 2, 2, 3 stls, 4-10 3PT
Lewis 10, 7, 0
Tiggs 10, 5, 1
Fountain 6, 2, 1
Evans 5, 2, 8, 2 stls
McFadden 5, 1, 2
Barker 4, 1, 3
Piatowski 3, 2, 0
Young 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-49%
REB: -8
TO: -17 (SMISS: 24)
Pts in paint: +4
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: +9
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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

[randy]

Jan 20, 2009: #23 Rice (14-4, 6-1) @ #15 Memphis (13-6, 5-2)


Tip off

The calls were clearly not in our favor, as we got into the penalty less than 4 mins into game. It obviously affected our focus, as we were able to put just 2 pts seven mins into the game. MEM surged ahead with a 15-pt lead. SG Jon Betts' 4 triples led our comeback, and we tied the game. But MEM closed out the 1st half with an 8-0 run


Halftime, Down 31-39


Start of 2nd half

MEM opened up the 2nd half, and we go down by double digits again. Mounting a 2nd comeback in the same game will be quite a challenge for us, but we kept on competing.
13:07, Down 40-46

We got some stops. We're not shooting the ball well either, but our persistence starting to pay off. SF Andre McFadden's 3 got us to within 1 pt. After another unproductive possession by MEM, we went back to McFadden and he drains another 3!
10:32, Up 48-46

MEM eventually ended their drought hitting 2 baskets. But SF Andre McFadden kept our scoreboard running with another long bomb. C Richie Lewis also connected on 2 short jumpers to give a 5 pt cushion. MEM's home crowd is getting restless
5:44, Up 55-50

I had to give SF Andre McFadden a breather as he is visibly spent out carrying us in this comeback. MEM's outstanding Fr PG Ryan Watson (16 pts) drills in a big time 3. But SF Ross Brown answers back with also a 3. After a MEM miss, it was SG Jon Betts turn to make one from beyond the arc. Our bench was all pumped up in cheering, including injured C Curtis Harper. But this is far from over yet
3:51, Up 61-53

Both teams missed their next shot. And then MEM PG Ryan Watson (19 pts) puts up another 3 and scores! Timeout
2:43, Up 61-56

I bring back SF Andre McFadden, but he missed his next shot. We played good defense on MEM's PG Ryan Watson. Watson had to give the ball up. MEM missed. On our next pay, SG Jon Betts puts up a shot. Missed. Loose ball goes into our favor. Betts gets the ball again, and this time Betts (17 pts) made the jumper. Up 7

Our starting PG fouled out. We're now putting our best defensive player, SF Ross Brown, on MEM PG Ryan Watson. Watson was denied the ball, but MEM SF Greg Williams able to convert a running jumper. Up 5. We go back to SG Jon Betts. Betts missed. Rebound by C Richie Lewis. Lewis puts up a shot. Blocked. MEM recovered. They called a timeout
0:56, Up 63-58

We had to make a stop. And we did, not allowing MEM PG Ryan Watson to shoot the ball. We called a timeout, just to make sure we close this out
0:36, Up 63-58

SF Ross Brown drives to the lane and scores! 3 possession game. MEM PG Ryan Watson not giving, wiggling his way out of the double team and scores. Up 5. MEM had to give up fouls to stop the clock, and we scored some FTs to end the game.


Final Score: Rice - 68, Memphis - 60
What a great road win, having to come back twice, with our best player unavailable due to an injury. We outscored MEM 37-21 in the 2nd half


Box Scores
[INDENT]Betts 17, 0, 1, 5-12 3PT
McFadden 15, 7, 1, 4-6 3PT (*)
Brown 12, 5, 1, 5 tos
Lewis 8, 9, 0, 4 blks
Fountain 6, 5, 2
Tiggs 4, 3, 1
Barker 2, 3, 3, 3 tos
Piatowski 2, 3, 0
Young 2, 1, 2
Evans 0, 1, 3, fouled out
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 41-38%
REB: +7
TO: +1
Pts in paint: -14
2nd chance: -3
Fast break: -5
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Rice, 7-1 (W3)
2. Central Florida, 6-2 (W1)
3. Memphis, 5-3 (L1)
4. Houston, 5-3 (W5)
5. Marshall, 5-3 (L3)
6. Tulsa 4-4 (W1)
7. Tulane, 4-4 (L1)
8. Alabama-Birmingham, 3-5 (L1)
9. Southern Mississippi, 3-5 (W1)
10. Texas-El Paso, 2-6 (W1)
11. Southern Methodist, 2-6 (L1)
12. East Carolina, 2-6 (L4)

[randy]

Jan 24, 2009: Houston (12-6, 5-3) @ #23 Rice (15-4, 7-1)


Tip off

Got down early 5-13, as HOU offense was in full swing. We tightened up or defense, and SG Jon Betts scored 15 pts in a 21-4 run. We got contributions from the bench, particularly from C Scott Fountain with 7 pts and 6 rebs, as we threatened to take full control of the game with an 18-pt lead. However, HOU had a late surge, who almost regained the lead getting as close as 3 pts.


Halftime, Up 43-38
We can't afford to sleep on defense against HOU, as they are one of the hottest teams now with a 5-game win streak.


Start of 2nd half


HOUW with 6 turn overs already in the 2nd half, but we have not taken advantage as the game remains close
13:10, Up 52-50

Our 2nd half offense so far is a far cry from the 1st, as everyone is struggling to make shots. HOU has completed their comeback and have retaken the lead.
7:12, Down 60-61

We need to regroup, particularly on defense. OUr players responded, limiting HOU to just 2 FGs in almost 5 mins, but our penalty situation has given them opportunities from the line. This is going down the wire again, just like our previous meeting earlier
2:26, Up 71-70

With SG Jon Betts, SF Ross Brown, and SF Andre McFadden all on the floor at the same time, we don't have a natural PG. It's a risk, but the added option on offense paid of, as SG Jon Betts scored a 3; that is Betts 1st pts in the 2nd half, after scoring 15 in the 1st. Up 4. We got called for a foul. HOU splits. Up 3. McFadden missed on our next play. HOU scored on an offensive rebound put back. This HOU team is very resilient Up 1. Timeout
1:10, Up 74-73

SF Ross Brown drives and scores. Up 3. After a HOU timeout, they got called for steps. Just 0:44 left. A basket here would be huge. And SG Jon Betts unleashes a dagger 3! Another timeout by HOU
0:32, Up 79-73

But HOU still has some fight left in them, as their PG Roy White drains his 4th triple of the game. Up 3. As expected, HOU fouls quickly. They are not yet in the penalty. SF Andre McFadden has the ball. Knowing that his defender is approaching and about to give up a foul, McFadden released the ball from the beyond. Missed the shot but the foul was called on the act of shooting. 3 FTs coming up for McFadden; very smart play. McFadden made 2 of 3 FTs to seal the game. We had to work hard for this win.


Final Score: Houston - 76, Rice - 81


Box Scores
[INDENT]Betts 21, 3, 1, 6-9 3PT (*)
Brown 19, 2, 2
Fountain 9, 6, 0
McFadden 8, 2, 1, 2 stls
Lewis 6, 5, 2, 3 blks
Piatowski 6, 2, 2, 2 stls
Evans 5, 1, 4, fouled out
Barker 4, 2, 7
Tiggs 3, 2, 0, 2 stls
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-49%
REB: -15
TO: -10
Pts in paint: -6
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

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