Owls improve on their closing finish this time
With a minute remaining, Rice led by six points, not a comfortable margin considering the Owls’ problems protecting late leads in the past.
Senior Bishop Mency bucked that trend Thursday night, pumping his right fist after sinking a game-sealing 3-pointer. The Owls also converted most of their free throws in the final minute to earn their second Conference USA win of the season with a 73-64 victory over Florida International at Tudor Fieldhouse.
“We knew that we were progressing through those rough patches, but now it’s starting to show in the record. We got one win a couple of games ago and now we just got another one,” forward Malik Osborne said. “It’s just great motivation heading into the next game because we see our progress paying off.”
Rice (5-16, 2-6 C-USA) got its first conference victory earlier this month against Charlotte. Since then, a hopeful momentum was replaced by a three-game losing streak.
By snapping that skid against the Panthers (9-12, 3-5), the Owls hope to retain the momentum for a longer period this time.
The Owls turned an early six-point deficit into a small advantage through an evenly played first half. They took a 32-28 lead into the half after an Austin Meyers layup at the buzzer.
Rice emerged from the locker room with a hot hand. Osborne hit back-toback 3-pointers to mount a 43-35 lead four minutes into the second half.
But Florida International exploited a soft Rice defense to surge ahead. The teams exchanged the advantage, tying again at 55 before Osborne hit from long range once more.
“You’re seeing it before your eyes. He’s really taken to coaching better,” Rice coach Scott Pera said. “Now the game is slowing down a little bit for him.”
Osborne, a freshman, has found his rhythm, helping to pick up the scoring slack when Rice guards go cold. He scored a team-high 16 points.
It was a balanced effort altogether with four Owls scoring in double digits.
“Coach P has been stressing that all of us need to bring it, not just one person one night. Everyone in their own way has the ability to score the ball, it’s just about being able to jell that night and do it on a consistent basis,” forward Robert Martin said. “Overall, I thought everyone assumed their role and did what they had to do.”
Ako Adams and Mency had 12 points for the Owls, as did Connor Cashaw, who added a career-high 14 rebounds. Brian Beard Jr. and Trejon Jacob paced the Panthers with 22 points apiece.