Rice Basketball never trailed in regulation, but found themselves in a double-digit deficit, losing to FGCU in overtime at the Coconut Hoops Tournament.
Points were at a premium in the early goings of the second Rice basketball contest at Coconut Hoops. Jimmy Oladokun opened the scoring against Florida Gulf Coast with a layup more than two minutes into the contest as the Owls slowly began to accumulate a modest advantage.
Rice opened up a 9-2 edge, eventually growing the lead to 13 points on a big three-pointer from Jalen Smith. Florida Gulf Coast would close the half strong, though, knocking down consecutive three pointers to cut the gap to seven at intermission.
NEWS: Rice Launches The Gateway Project, Rice Stadium Renovation
That late push would prove to be the spark Florida Gulf Coast needed from deep. Riding hot three-point shooting from Jordan Ellerbee, the local team would trim the Owls’ advantage to one point midway through the second half. Rice never trailed in regulation, but a missed jumper from Trae Broadnax at the buzzer left the door open for overtime. Florida Gulf Coast capitilized.
The Eagles, who had yet to lead at any point in the first 40 minutes, scored the first 13 points in the extra period, putting the game out of reach before the Owls were able to get their feet underneath them. For a second game in a row, the Owls were bystanders in extra time.
Rice Basketball falls to 2-6 with the loss. The Owls are 0-4 away from Tudor Fieldhouse this season.
Final Box | FGCU 78, Rice 63
Key takeaway | Deja Vu All Over Again
For those who might have missed this game, the script mirrored the first Rice Basketball contest at Coconut Hoops. Just like they did Tuesday against Florida Gulf Coast, Rice led Kennesaw State for the bulk of regulation but couldn’t find a way to close the door in regulation.
Trae Broadnax fouled out. Kennesaw State outscored Rice 6-1 in overtime.
One day later, Trae Broadnax fouled out against Florida Gulf Coast, who outscored Rice 19-4 in overtime.
Two very winnable games. And Rice basketball had ample opportunities to win in the first 40 minutes but couldn’t close either out. Either would have bee gut-wrenching another, but for these games to occur in succession was particularly cruel. If this team can survive this, it should all be uphill from here, because it’s hard to imagine a more painful way to lose two basketball games in a two day span.
Up Next: GEICO Coconut Hoops vs Oral Roberts (Wed, Nov. 26 at 3:30 pm)
