Houston, TX (Sports Network) – Arsalan Kazemi scored a game-high 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Rice Owls defeated the TCU Horned Frogs, 70-61, in a non-league affair at Tudor Fieldhouse.
Also scoring in double figures for the Owls (8-6) were Connor Frizzelle with 14 points, Tamir Jackson 12 and reserve Trey Stanton 11 points to go along with a team-high nine boards in the squad’s second straight setback.
The Horned Frogs (9-6) were paced by Hank Thorns with 18 points and eight assists as they fell for the second consecutive outing. Greg Hill added 12 points and Garlon Green 11 before fouling out.
TCU made good on a solid 54.5 percent from the field in the first half, including 5-of-8 out on the perimeter, yet the visitors could only manage a 30-30 tie at the break.
In the second half the Owls knocked down only 1-of-8 chances beyond the arc, but with a 17-of-19 shooting display at the free-throw line the hosts easily claimed the nine-point win.
Free-throw shooting was a huge factor in the meeting as Rice outscored the Horned Frogs by a 26-8 margin on the afternoon.