HOUSTON, Texas – Rice made 16 of its 24 free throws – including 10 of 15 in the second half – to help hold off a Middle Tennessee squad that attempted five free throws all night Thursday in a 65-61 contest at Tudor Fieldhouse. Eli Lawrence and Josh Jefferson led the way with 13 points apiece in the losing effort.
The Blue Raiders shot 20.8 percent from long distance coming off an extended layoff as the result of Covid-related postponements in what was supposed to be MT's opening weekend in Conference USA play.