Rice Owls Clinch Victory at Don Haskins Center Against UTEP Miners

In a closely contested conference game, the Rice Owls emerged victorious over the UTEP Miners with a final score of 72-67. The Owls' season record now stands at an impressive tally, reflecting their resilience and determination on the court. The Miners fought valiantly but fell short in overtime, leaving them to reflect on what might have been.

The game unfolded at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, where both teams engaged in a tug-of-war for dominance. The first half ended with the Rice Owls slightly ahead at 32-25. However, it was during the second half that the Miners made a formidable comeback, outscoring the Owls by seven points to tie the game and push it into overtime.

Despite this setback, it was during overtime that Rice truly shone. Outscoring UTEP by five points in this critical period showcased their ability to perform under pressure. Key statistics from this encounter include Rice's 44 percent success rate from two-point range and their 38 percent field goal percentage overall.

The Owls' defensive efforts were notable as they amassed a total of three blocks and seven steals throughout the game. Offensively, they were aided by ten assists which contributed to their scoring efforts significantly.

Rebounding played an essential role for Rice; they collected an impressive total of 44 rebounds – eleven offensive and thirty-three defensive – which provided them with numerous second-chance opportunities resulting in fourteen second-chance points.

Furthermore, fast-break plays were effectively executed by Rice leading to fourteen fast-break points which added vital momentum during crucial phases of play. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers was evident as they scored sixteen points off turnovers committed by UTEP.

On UTEP's side, despite falling short in overtime, there were noteworthy performances including higher shooting accuracy from within two-point range at approximately 54 percent compared to Rice's 44 percent. They also managed nine steals and fifteen assists indicating strong team dynamics despite losing ground late in play.

Looking forward after this intense matchup is another challenge for the Rice Owls as they prepare to host Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Tudor Fieldhouse located in Houston on January 6th at 7:00 PM Central Time Zone (CT). Fans eager not to miss any action can tune into ESPN+ for live coverage of what promises to be another exciting contest.