The key to the game was closing the gap in the final 3 minutes of the first half. We were VERY badly outplayed on both ends of the court, and absolutely dominated on the boards. We could have easily have been behind by 20 at the half the way we were playing (and getting no calls from the refs). Still scratching my head why MTSU went away from the inside post game in the second half, as they were killing us repeatedly down low in the first half. As others have said, Martin, Peterson and Murphy had monster second halves.

(03-01-2020 05:54 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Drew and Rob in particular with amazing 2nd halves. I know we can't ever seem to put it together for 40 minutes. But 40 minutes like we played the final 22 or 23 minutes today would be good enough to beat anyone in the conference.

Looks like UTEP beat up USM at home, so we're tied with UTEP for now for 11th (but they have the tie-breaker over us). If we beat USM on the road this week, that would clinch a tournament bid. But if not, a win over UTEP next Saturday might not be enough.

Agree with you on the tiebreaker assessment.
I think the bottom line is: we need one more win and *somebody* has to beat USM (might as well be us)

Another way to look at it is if we lose at USM but win the final, then we would need MTSU to win at least one next week.

Much like the women’s play we do experience Jekyll and Hyde games.

Rice did a much better job double teaming the post in the 2nd half when the ball went inside. Meanwhile, Zach Chrisler gave Rice an important 6 minutes at the end of the first half during a time the team closed the gap to 5 points. Before that MTSU were feasting inside against the Owls. Rice lost the first half rebounding battle 6 to 9 but won the 2nd half 17 to 9, a huge swing for the Owls.

If not for the turnovers, the Owls would have won the game by 20+. Rice gave up 29 points off turnovers. (but also scored 25 off MTSU turnovers....)