Owls defeat Coogs, 79-69

Posted: January 30, 2013 -- 10:45pm CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Tudor Fieldhouse) -- The Rice Owls picked up win number one of the Conference USA season with a methodical 79-69 victory over the crosstown rival Houston Cougars in front of 2532 fans gathered inside Tudor Fieldhouse.

The Owls (5-15 overall, 1-5 in Conference USA) struggled to make shots early in the ball game: made just 3 of their first 15 field goal attempts; and, in fact, the Owls trailed the Coogs by 15 (29-14) at the 6:01 mark of the opening half.

However, the Owls refused to give in and slowly walked the lead down and trailed by just eight points (33-25) at the half. The Owls made 7 of their final 17 field goals to finish the half at 31.3% from the floor.

TaShawn Thomas began the second half with a jump shot to give the Coogs a 10 point lead; but, the Owls' Seth Gearhart nailed a three-point shot. After two made free throws by Thomas, freshman Max Guercy sank a three-point shot to pull the Owls within six (37-31).

Less than two minutes later, Owls sophomore Julian DeBose swished a three-pointer and the Owls were within three and believing they could win the ball game.

The Coogs (13-7, 2-5) increased the lead to seven points twice; but, once Austin Ramljak sank all three free throws after being fouled shooting a three, the Owls were down 43-39 and the doubt truly crept into the Cougars.

Gearhart nailed another three to shrink the deficit to 44-42; and, after Guercy pulled the Owls within one (48-47), Tudor Fieldhouse was alive!

Tamir Jackson nailed a jump shot for a 49-48 Owls' lead; and, though Houston's Jherrod Stiggers quickly answered with a three-point basket, the Owls refused to give up.

DeBose tied the game at 51; and, the game stayed close the next five minutes. Houston's Leon Gibson gave the Coogs a 63-62 lead with two made free throws; but, once again, Guercy delivered with a huge three-point basket to give the Owls a 65-63 lead with 2:45 left on the clock.

Gibson split two free throws; and, Rice's Ross Wilson scored four straight points for a 69-64 Owls' lead with just 81 seconds remaining.

The Owls made their free throws in the closing moments to pick up the victory.

The Owls shot 65.2% (15 for 23) from the floor in the second half and made 21 of 24 free throws. The Owls only turned the ball over four times in the game.

Guercy scored a game-high 21 points on 7 for 9 field goal shooting (3 for 5 on threes) and dished four assists. Tamir Jackson added 18 points; six rebounds; and three assists. Three other Owls players chipped in  with eight points each.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rice Owls men's hoops write-ups.