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SB Nation Houston takes a look at a match-up of two programs looking to make the long climb to the top of C-USA.
Southern Methodist Mustangs (9-8, 3-3 Conference USA) at Rice Owls (8-10, 2-4 Conference USA)
Tipoff: 2:00, 1/29
The Line: Rice by 5
After getting out to an 0-4 start in conference play, the Rice Owls have won back-to-back games against UCF and Houston. They look to continue their hot play against SMU, who carries its own two-game conference winning streak into the match-up.
Even in the victory over Houston, Rice's season-long troubles in guarding the three-point line were evident, and SMU has a number of shooters, who have led the team to a 40.8% mark from long range this year.
The marquee match-up in this game is Arsalan Kazemi (16.4 ppg, 11.4 rpg) of Rice against Papa Dia (17.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg).
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Rice Rally Falls Short Against SMU
The Owls put together a number of rallies in the second half at home against SMU, but could never quite catch them, falling by a score of 75-68.
Rice jumped out to an early 15-6 lead, but quickly squandered it, and actually trailed by a 35-29 score at the half.
The second half played out in a repetitive manner. Rice cut the lead to 4 with 18:29 left, SMU pushed the lead to 10 at 17:04. Rice cut the lead to 2 at 13:37, SMU pushed it back to 13 at 9:27.
A Tamir Jackson lay-up and-one cut the lead back down to four points with 7:58 remaining, but Rice would never get that close again. As expected, Rice could not stay with SMU's perimeter shooters, especially Robert Nyakundi, who hit seven of the team's 11 three-point field goals.
Arsalan Kazemi paced the Owls with 21 points and 18 rebounds, but committed six turnovers.
Jan 29 6:20p by Dustin Rensink - 0 comments