Rice basketball is off to a strong start. The men split with UTEP last weekend and the women swept. Next they’ll both face off with Old Dominion.
Time: Jan. 15 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Jan. 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: ESPN+
Old Dominion 7-3 (3-1), Last 5 (4-1)
- 77-57 (W) vs Virginia Wesleyan
- 67-82 (L) at FIU
- 71-66 (W) at FIU
- 71-67 (W) vs Florida Atlantic
- 64-55 (W) vs Flordia Atlantic
Old Dominion statistical leaders
- Scoring | Malik Curry – 15.9 per game
- Rebounds | Kalu Ezikpe – 6.8 per game
- Assists | Malik Curry – 4.4 per game
- Steals | Malik Curry – 1.6 per game
- Blocks | Kalu Ezikpe – 1.4 per game
Rice 9-3 (3-1), Last 5 (4-1)
- 73-62 (W) vs New Orleans
- 95-86 (W) vs UTSA
- 84-69 (W) vs UTSA
- 89-101 (L) at UTEP
- 71-68 (L) at UTEP
Rice statistical leaders
- Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 16.2 per game
- Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 9.4 per game
- Assists | Max Fiedler – 4.1 per game
- Steals | Travis Evee – 1.4 per game
- Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.8 per game
Rice keys to victory
Old Dominion goes the way of Malik Curry. When he’s on his game, the Monarchs are tough to beat, in part because it’s always a different part of the supporting cast that steps up to his aid.
Last Friday against Florida Atlantic it was Austin Trice with a big day off the bench. On Saturday, AJ Oliver led the way for the team in scoring. Stopping Curry is the primary objective, but staying cognization of who else can beat you is equally important.
Time: Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT and Jan. 16 at 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Jan. 15 – CUSAtv / Jan. 16 – ESPN+
Old Dominion 5-3 (2-2), Last 5 (3-2)
- 73-39 (W) vs South Carolina Upstate
- 85-92 (L) vs FIU
- 80-81 (L) vs FIU
- 71-56 (W) at Florida Atlantic
- 77-72 (W) at Florida Atlantic
Old Dominion statistical leaders
- Scoring | Victoria Morris – 17.3 per game
- Rebounds | Ajah Wayne – 10.3 per game
- Assists | Mariah Adams – 3.5 per game
- Steals | Amari Young – 2.3 per game
- Blocks | Amari Young – 0.9 per game
Rice 8-1 (4-0), Last 5 (4-1)
- 53-57 (L) at No. 10 Texas A&M
- 78-53 (W) at UTSA
- 69-57 (W) at UTSA
- 74-68 (W) vs UTEP
- 55-43 (W) vs UTEP
Rice statistical leaders
- Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 14.7 per game
- Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 8.1 per game
- Assists | Sydne Wiggins and Jasmine Smith – 3.7 per game
- Steals | Jasmine Smith – 1.3 per game
- Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 3.2 per game
Rice keys to victory
It seems like every time these two programs meet on the hardwood a defensive struggle ensues. Neither squad is going to shoot the lights out, but they typically don’t have to against the bulk of their competition.
When they face off with each other, though, someone is going to have to make that last push. For Rice, winning the third quarter will be even more important. The Owls pride themselves on halftime adjustments and execute incredibly well after the break. If they can take a lead into the fourth quarter, no matter how slight, they’ll be positioned well for a big conference win.
