Rice Owls Edge Out Miners in a Close Contest at Tudor Fieldhouse

In a closely contested game at Tudor Fieldhouse, the Rice University Owls emerged victorious over the UTEP Miners with a final score of 83-82. The Owls now hold an impressive record, while the Miners' record reflects their valiant effort despite the loss.

The Rice Owls showcased remarkable shooting accuracy throughout the game, converting 56 percent of their field goal attempts and an outstanding 68 percent from two-point range. Their proficiency from beyond the arc was also notable as they hit 44 percent of their three-point shots. Free throws were another area where Rice excelled, making 79 percent of their attempts.

On defense, both teams managed to block one shot each. The Owls recorded seven steals which contributed to some critical possessions that helped tilt the balance in their favor. In terms of ball distribution, Rice accumulated twelve assists over the course of play.

Rebounding was fiercely contested; however, Rice ended up slightly behind with twenty-nine rebounds compared to UTEP's thirty-two. Of those for Rice, twenty-four were defensive boards which played a crucial role in limiting second-chance points for UTEP.

Despite committing nineteen turnovers—a figure that usually signals trouble—the Owls managed to keep themselves in contention and ultimately secured a win by maintaining composure during key moments.

The Miners put up an impressive fight as well. They demonstrated strong offensive capabilities by scoring fifty-six points in the paint and capitalizing on turnovers with twenty-two points off them. Their fast-break execution resulted in fourteen points and they showed resilience on offense with twelve second-chance points thanks to offensive rebounding efforts.

UTEP's field goal percentage stood at fifty percent overall and nearly sixty percent for two-point shots but struggled from three-point land with only twenty-two percent accuracy. Free throw shooting was another area where improvement could be made as they made just over sixty-one percent from the line.

As fans look ahead, they can anticipate seeing more action from The Rice University Owls when they face off against UTSA Roadrunners at UTSA Convocation Center located in San Antonio on January 17th at 7:00 PM Central Time. This matchup will be available for fans to watch on ESPN+ via internet broadcast networks.