Tip off
Not explosive but very efficient, is how best to describe MARS' offense, as they shot 71% FG in the 1st half. We got back and took the lead by forcing turn overs. SF Andre McFadden leads all scorers with 10 pts off the bench.
Halftime, Up 43-39
Start of 2nd half
We are hanging on to our lead because of good execution of our half court sets. MARS getting a lot of offensive rebs in the 2nd half to keep the game close.
13:19, Up 53-50
We were up by 5, and then MARS offense went to full gear with a quick 15-4 run. I had to call an early timeout. We are also in the penalty
9:50, Down 59-65
SF Ross Brown trying to get us back scoring our last 9 pts, but we can't afford to simply trade baskets
4:47, Down 68-75
We get a couple of stops. PG Brent Evans gets a 3. Down 4. MARS scores on a drive. Down 6. SF Ross Brown answers with a 3. Down 3. A miss by MARS. SF ROss Brown got fouled on his drive to the basket. Both teams in penalty. Brown splits his FTs.
2:47, Down 75-77
MARS throws the ball away. SF Ross Brown gets closer. Pulls up a potential-tying jumper. No good. MARS had 2 attempts at the basket. Missed both. We finally secure the rebound. Timeout.
1:50, Down 75-77
SF Ross Brown has the ball again. Brown makes a move. Shoots. Missed, but got fouled. Brown makes both. We're tied!
1:31, Tied at 77
A foul called on us. I was complaining, but no T. 2 FTs for MARS. Split. I have 1 timeout left since I called a couple earlier in the 2nd half to stop MARS' run. I decided to play on.
1:15, Down 77-78
SF Ross Brown with the ball. Everyone expects him to take another shot. Instead he saw PG Hayletts Johnson from the left corner. Johnson just came in to the game to replace the fouled out PG Brent Evans. Johnson gets the pass. Johnson shoots, and the freshman guard scores! Timeout MARS
0:54, Up 79-78
Step back jumper by MARS' Sam Grannum. SF Ross Brown's extended arms in Grannum's face, but Grannum (16 pts) still makes the shot! Last timeout.
0:37, Down 78-79
SF Ross Brown takes the ball inside, shoots, and missed. Ball out of bounds. Last touch MARS. We have another chance. No timeouts left. SF Andre McFadden attempts a corner 3. Missed. MARS gets the rebound. We fouled quickly. 2 FTs for MARS. Split! We get the rebound. Down 2, 0:12 left. SF Ross Brown has the ball. Pass to PG Hayletts Johnson. Back to Brow with 0:02 left. Brown forced to put up a 20 footer. Missed. Game over
Final Score: Rice - 79, Marshall - 81
2 losses to MARS this season, with a combined 3 pts. We're 4-6 against MARS in 4 years since I arrived at Rice. We always have a tough time against this gritty team.
Box Scores
[INDENT]Brown 25, 4, 1
Young 11, 1, 7
McFadden 10, 2, 1
Piatowski 8, 2, 0
Fountain 6, 3, 2, 2 stls
Evans 6, 2, 3, fouled out
Tiggs 5, 4, 1, 2 stls
Phillips 4, 4, 0
Johnson 2, 2, 1
Barker 2, 0, 4, 6 tos
Richard 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 50-60%
REB: -3
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +10
2nd chance: -1
Fast break: -5
[/INDENT]
CUSA Standings
- Rice, 13-3 (L1)
- Memphis, 13-3 (W4)
- Marshall, 12-4 (W1)
- Tulane, 8-8 (L2)
- Southern Miss, 8-8 (L1)
- Alabama-Birmingham, 8-8 (L1)
- Texas-El Paso, 8-8 (W1)
- Central Florida, 7-9 (W1)
- Houston, 5-11 (W1)
- Southern Methodist, 5-11 (W2)
- East Carolina, 5-11 (L2)
- Tulsa 4-12 (L1)