Both Men’s and Women’s Rice Basketball teams are on winning streaks. Can they keep them going against Middle Tennessee on Saturday?
Time: Feb. 8 at 5:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Murphy Athletic Center
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: CUSA TV
MTSU 6-18 (2-9), Last 5 (2-3)
- 80-73 (L) vs Louisiana Tech
- 65-63 (W) vs Southern Miss
- 67-66 (L) at UTEP
- 83-80 (W) at UTSA
- 75-70 (L) vs North Texas
Rice 11-13 (3-8), Last 5 (2-3)
- 79-59 (L) at North Texas
- 72-64 (L) vs UTEP
- 90-88 (L) vs UTSA
- 84-75 (W) vs North Texas
- 86-72 (W) at UAB
MTSU statistical leaders
- Scoring | C.J. Jones – 16.2 per game
- Rebounds | Tyson Jackson – 5.0 per game
- Assists | Donovan Sims – 3.5 per game
- Steals | Donovan Sims – 1.7 per game
- Blocks | Tyson Jackson – 0.8 per game
Rice keys to victory
Beyond an incredible stretch of shooting, the Owls’ recent two-game winning streak has featured a pair of hot starts that have put a renewed sense of confidence in a team coming off a tough stretch. Rice tends to be a streaky shooting team. If the Owls can keep the game close early until they find their stroke, they might have found a recipe for success that could work.
Time: Feb. 8 at 2:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: ESPN3
MTSU 16-7 (8-3), Last 5 (4-1)
- 78-60 (L) at Louisiana Tech
- 77-69 (W) at Southern Miss
- 76-60 (W) vs UTEP
- 69-48 (W) vs UTSA
- 80-60 (W) at North Texas
Rice 15-6 (10-0), Last 5 (5-0)
- 75-64 (W) vs Southern Miss
- 69-61 (W) at UTEP
- 74-62 (W) at UTSA
- 67-52 (W) at North Texas
- 64-53 (W) vs UAB
MTSU statistical leaders
- Scoring | Anastasia Hayes – 17.7 per game
- Rebounds | Charity Savage – 11.2 per game
- Assists | Anastasia Hayes – 4.1 per game
- Steals | Charity Savage – 1.9 per game
- Blocks | Charity Savage – 1.5 per game
Rice keys to victory
This will be a rematch of last year’s conference championship game. The Owls’ won that game, but it wasn’t easy. Middle Tennesse led by eight points at halftime before Rice turned on the jets in the third quarter and eventually punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
The third quarter has been where Rice has made its move. Tina Langley’s squad makes adjustments, executes and outlasts. Saturday’s contest should be no different. If Rice can win the third quarter, they’ll have enough firepower to prevail at home.
