The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Rice
UAB Falls In Double Overtime To Rice, 82-73
2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Final Stats (PDF)
HOUSTON – UAB’s men’s basketball team started the second half on a 21-5 run after being down 35-23 at the break, but fell to the Rice Owls 82-73 in double overtime on Saturday at Tudor Fieldhouse.
After overcoming the early deficit, UAB looked to be in control in the first overtime period, up 70-63 with just 58 seconds to go. Two-straight 3-pointers and a steal and a layup by the Owls in the span of 40 seconds gave Rice the lead, 71-70, with 13 seconds on the clock.
On UAB’s next offensive possession, Tyler Madison drove the lane and was fouled, putting the Blazer sophomore at the free-throw line. Madison missed the first and hit the second to take the game into double overtime.
Playing without leading scorer Robert Brown, UAB saw Rice go on a 12-2 run in the second overtime en route to the 82-73 win.
With the loss, UAB moves to 13-13 overall and 9-4 in Conference USA play. The Owls improve to 9-15 and 6-6 in C-USA action. Saturday’s loss represented UAB’s first ever loss to Rice.
The Owls jumped out to an early 13-4 lead over the Blazers and hit five of their first nine shots to build the early advantage in the first half. UAB bounced back in the opening period, tying the game at 17-17. That comeback effort was thanks to seven points from Madison, who finished as UAB’s top scorer in the first 20 minutes.
Rice responded with by outscoring the Blazers 18-6 in the final minutes of the first stanza to stake claim to a 35-23 lead – UAB’s largest halftime deficit in Conference USA action this season. Rice forward Seth Gearhart spearheaded a 59 percent shooting performance by the Owls in the first half. Gearhart finished the opening period with 19 points and missed just one shot (6-of-7) from the field.
Gearhart wrapped up the game with 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Owls, while teammate Max Guercy added 21 points.
Brown led UAB in scoring with his 20 point effort, while Tosin Mehinti added 18 points in the loss.
UAB now returns home to face Western Kentucky on Thursday at 7 p.m.
