FORT MYERS, Fla. — Rice missed nine of its final 10 shots of the game over the final 7:23, as it dropped its Coconut Hoops opener in overtime to Kennesaw state, 89-84, Monday night from Alico Arena.
The Story
Rice jumped out to an early 5-2 lead. The teams then traded baskets before Cam Carroll hit three free throws to give Rice a 16-13 lead. But Kennesaw State went on a 12-2 run, taking its largest lead of the game at 25-18 with 9:33 to play. Rice responded, as two straight threes from Eternity Eguagie closed a 9-3 run to make it a one-point game. They then went back-and-forth over the next six minutes. Carroll and Jimmy Oladokun, Jr. made consecutive baskets, giving Rice the lead. Ramone Seals hit two free throws, but a Jalen Smith jumper gave Rice a 41-40 lead heading into halftime.
Rice started the second half strong, opening with an 11-4. After a KSU free throw, Stephen Giwa tipped in Jalen Smith’s miss, and Trae Broadnax made a jumper to give Rice its largest lead of the game, 56-45, just 5:30 into the half. But Kennesaw State answered with an 11-4 run of its own, cutting Rice’s lead to four. After trading three-pointers, Andrew Akuchie hit a pair of free throws. They went back-and-forth over the next two minutes. Smith made two free throws, but Simeon Cottle hit a three, and a Kaden Rikard layup gave KSU a one-point lead. But Akuchie made two free throws, and Nick Anderson hit two jumpers, giving Rice a 74-68 lead with 4:13 to play in regulation. The teams again went back-and-forth. But with Rice holding a 78-72 lead, Kennesaw scored seven of eight points to tie the game at 79. Akuchie gave Rice the lead with a layup, but KSU made two free throws. Following an Eguagie steal, Smith was fouled, and made both of his free throws. But Cottle’s jumper with six seconds left sent the game to overtime.
Rice struggled during overtime. After a Smith turnover, Cottle hit a three to give KSU a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. After Eguagie missed two free throw, Cam Carroll’s pass was picked off by Cottle, and Ramone Seals went in for the dunk. Rice got on the board in the extra period when Smith hit one-of-two free throws with 59 seconds left. But that’s as close as it would get.
The Stats
Rice shot 41.9% (26-of-62) from the field and 34.8% (8-of-23) from three, but shot just 63.2% (24-of-38) from the free throw line. Kennesaw State connected on 40.0% (28-of-70) from the floor, 34.5% (10-of-29) from three, and 76.7% (23-of-30) from the free throw line. Rice was also outrebounded, 44-to-41.
Notes
• Rice falls to 2-5 on the year.
• This was the first-ever meeting against Kennesaw State.
• Rice placed five players in double-figures for the second time this year.
• Rice had 10 steals, its second game this year with double-digit steals.
• G/F Nick Anderson led the Owls with 18 points and a season-high six rebounds.
• It was his seventh game scoring in double-figures this year and the 53rd of his career.
• G Trae Broadnax scored 12 points, had five rebounds, and a season-high three steals.
• It was his sixth double-figure scoring game this year, and the 78th of his career.
• G Jalen Smith scored 11 points and tied a season-high with five rebounds.
• It was his fifth double-figure scoring game this year and the 18th of his career.
• F Andrew Akuchie had a season-high 10 points, five rebounds, and tied a career-high with three blocks.
• G Bodey Howell scored a career-high 10 points.
• G Cam Carroll scored seven points and had a game-high four assists.
Next Up
Rice plays its second game of the tournament tomorrow, Nov. 25, when they face host Florida Gulf Coast. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed by FloCollege.
