Rice edged by Tulane in Barn Burner

February 4, 2007

What a heartbreaking loss for the Lady Owls last night against Tulane. A win would have given Rice a tie with Tulane for 1st or 2nd place, I think. It was a very exciting game, especially the last 10 minutes or so, but we came out on the short end (71-68). It was even closer than the final score. On the bright side, these are the games that build character and battle scars, necessary come tournament time.

It was the first time this season that I got to Autry Court early enough to watch warm ups which was fun. I thought Tulane seemed like the bigger team, and Rice didn't look worried at all, or intense, warming up. They seemed confident, and I noticed Sam's shot was falling. Once they gathered at center court for the jump, Rice was all business and very intense. Tulane seemed to play catch up the 1st half, coming back from 9 points down at the 4:32 mark to down by only 3 at the half. I thought Rice had it under control pretty good though I underestimated Tulane. They adjusted well at the break, or just felt the momentum having nearly caught up by halftime.

The last few minutes were so exciting! A real classic basketball game! I have to share it:

2nd half, the lead was back and forth until the 11:31 mark when Rice had to start playing catch up and was down by 8 at one point. The tables had turned from the 1st half.

We finally got within 64-65 at the 2:13 mark when Lauren hit a layup. At the 1:41 mark, Sam had her pass stolen for a critical turnover, then Tulane's Henry scored a layup making the score 64-67 with 1:31 on the clock. Lauren hit a jumper to cut the lead to 66-67 with 1:12 on the clock, and one. Lauren missed the free throw. With 44 seconds left, Tulane's Henry hit a jumper and made the free throw. 66-70 Tulane. The ref then about killed Rice's chance of any come back when he called Lauren for a foul when she merely tipped the out of bounds ball from Tulane's player. It clearly should have been Tulane's ball out of bounds, not a foul. Tulane's Langford hit the 1st free throw, and we are now down 66-71 (as I said critical ref call). They missed the 2nd free throw, and Lauren got the rebound. Lauren misses the 3 pointer with 17 seconds left, Riverin misses the jumper with 10 seconds left, Lauren rebounds the ball and hits a tough jumper with 4.6 seconds left, score 68-71 Tulane. Time out.

Tulane throws the ball in but it goes straight out of bounds and took no time off of the clock! Rice has the chance to tie the game! Take that, ref! Time out.

Rice throws the ball in but is covered well, and Krystal Frazier gets a tough shot off but it doesn't fall, game over. I thought Riverin or maybe Sam should have gotten that last shot, but Riverin was throwing the ball in bounds.

Lauren Neaves had an outstanding game with 27 points (11 of 15) and 18 rebounds. I felt like in those last minutes she should have received the ball even more. She was really a shining star out there.

Samantha Stovall had another fine game with 11 points (5 of 8) and 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 assist. Stove's block of a 3 pointer at the 2:58 mark with Rice down by 3 was important - I thought she played great defense. She did have 4 turnovers though. Her shot was "on" and I wish she had taken more.

Kadie Riverin had good numbers 10 points (4-7) with 8 assists but she wasn't as quick as the Tulane guard and also had 4 turnovers. In hindsight, Riverin and Stovall both should have shot more. Credit Tulane's defense.

Tiffany Loggins was neutralized and her shot wasn't falling like the game before. Krystal Frazier seems like a light bulb, on one game and off the next. She tried to get past it but was in a funk basically imo with 6 turnovers. Maudess Fulton's shot wasn't "on" and she kept taking shots - get the ball to your bread and butter please, translation Lauren Neaves. Shyrelle Horne didn't play but in hindsight I think her energy and quickness might have helped. It couldn't hurt with Krystal, Tara Watts and Maudess not contributing that much. Kudos to Krystal for that last second shot to try and tie the game - it was difficult and she did get it off.

Bottom line, it was the tale of two halves. Tulane adjusted and Rice had trouble the whole 2nd half getting points in the paint (only 10 in the 2nd half). I credit Tulane's defense, it was good. Their defense was good on the perimeter too imo. Rice had to get their shots off pretty quick. 2nd half turnovers, missed free throws in the 2nd half, lack of bench points, and 0-11 on 3 pointers hurt Rice. Rice got tired with only 7 players playing and only 8 dressed out, while Tulane seemed to just keep substituting players.

Sorry this was so long but I also want to say I couldn't have enjoyed the game more with a different group of friends.