‘Gut-check’ victory follows long layoff

Rice basketball is just now getting back up to speed. The Owls had two games wiped from the schedule because of COVID issues in the program last month, and on Thursday night at Tudor Fieldhouse they were playing only for the second time since Dec. 16.

Rust was apparent in some phases. But the Owls persevered, rallying past Middle Tennessee 65-61 on the strength of a 13-0 run in the second half and a 19-point, 10-rebound effort from Carl Pierre.

“A tremendous gut-check win by our kids,” Rice coach Scott Pera said. “Making a comeback, fighting back. Really proud, especially what we’ve been through, how to get them back in shape. For our kids to dig deep, this is a good win.”

Rice (8-5, 1-1) was playing its Conference USA home opener after being hammered 75-43 last week at North Texas in their league opener, allowing 28 offensive rebounds to the Mean Green.

The Owls allowed only nine offensive rebounds to the Blue Raiders and just two in the second half in winning for the fifth straight time in the series

“That was the game,” Pera said. “Nobody was making shots, so we couldn’t give them extra ones.”

Even though the shooting picked up in the second half, both teams struggled from the field. Rice hit 41.5 percent, MTSU 35.7.

Normally a team that wins by hitting its 3 pointers, the Owls were only 5-of-24 from long range. Travis Evee was 1-of-6, Quincy Olivari 2-of-9 and Pierre 2of-7.

“When Carl, Quincy and Travis, tremendous shooters, miss that many 3s, it’s fatigue,” Pera said.

But Pierre’s 3s came at the right time. His back-to-back 3-pointers were part of a 13-0 run that erased a 46-42 deficit and put the Owls ahead 55-46.

“In that run, guys stepped up,” said Pierre, who was 7-of-15 from the field overall. “And we made big shots that we were able to stretch out just enough of a lead to come out with a win. We played solid defense and rebounded well throughout the game.”

A graduate transfer from UMass, Pierre had his first career double-double.

“He has that in him,” Pera said. “As far as making shots, he’s been making them all year. He’s not afraid to take the big shot. I’m glad we have him.”

Olivari, Evee and Chris Mullins each had 12 points for the Owls, who led 28-25 at the break.

Josh Jefferson, playing for his third school, and Eli Lawrence scored 13 points apiece for the visitors from Murfreesboro, Tenn. DeAndre Dishman added 12 points for MTSU (9-5, 0-1), playing its first conference game.

The Owls lost two scheduled games during the outbreak. Rice’s game at Texas scheduled for Dec. 22 was canceled and its scheduled Dec. 19 game with St. Thomas was postponed. The two teams are hoping to reschedule.

During the outbreak, the Owls got a little rusty. But they gutted out a win over a talented MTSU squad that is athletic, deep and has several good shooters.

“That pause definitely had an effect,” Pierre said. “You don’t play basketball for however long the pause lasts, but it feels good to come out and get our groove back in the second half.”

Like Rice, Middle Tennessee has battled COVID issues. It had been more than two weeks since the Blue Raiders took the court, last playing Dec. 22.

Rice is back at Tudor Fieldhouse on Saturday, hosting firstplace UAB at 3 p.m.