HOUSTON, Texas – St. Edward's men's basketball could not overcome a hot-shooting Rice team Thursday afternoon, falling to the Owls in exhibition play 93-64 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
 
The NCAA Division I member shot 57 percent from the field compared to just 28 percent by St. Edward's.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Rice jumped out to an early 11-2 lead in the first three minutes of action.
• After a three-point play by sophomore JAMES TAYLOR had St. Edward's to within 15-8, the Owls responded with a 17-0 run. That gave the home team a commanding 32-8 advantage with 7:56 remaining in the first half.
• St. Edward's closed the last four minutes of the half on a 10-2 run. Taylor keyed the run with eight of those points. Rice led 49-28 at intermission.
• The Hilltoppers opened the second half outscoring the Owls 12-7 in the first six minutes of play. That pulled St, Edward's within 16, but it's as close as it would get the rest of the way.

 
HILLTOPPER NOTES

• Taylor led the Hilltoppers in scoring with 16 points. That included three baskets from three-point range.
• The Owls outrebounded St. Edward's 51-32.
• Thirteen players played for St. Edward's with 11 registering at least 10 minutes of action.
• Rice has not lost in the series history, winning all three matchups.

 
QUOTE BOARD: HEAD COACH ANDRE COOK
"Obviously not the score we hoped for, but we went into this game with our eyes on conference play. There were some positives, but now it is time to move on and get ready for Newman and Panhandle State. Rice is a very good team and they are going to have a great year."
 
UP NEXT
St. Edward's stays on the road to open Heartland Conference play Saturday against Newman. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan. Live video and stats will be available at www.GoHilltoppers.com.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Rice 93, St. Edward's 64
Records: St. Edward's (8-5), Rice (8-2)
Leading Scorers: St. Edward's-JAMES TAYLOR (16), Rice-Egor Koulechov (20)
Attendance: 5,307

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