Moore’s late layup caps Rice comeback for 82-81 win
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Payton Moore drove for a contested layup with two seconds remaining as Rice overcame a 22-point deficit to knock off UC Santa Barbara 82-81 on Saturday afternoon.
Trey Murphy III drained 5 of 8 from deep to finish with 18 points and Moore totaled a career-best 16 for Rice (4-1) which trailed 47-27 at the break.
UC Santa Barbara led 81-80 before Rice's Robert Martin rebounded a Max Heidegger miss and the Owls tore downcourt. Moore took a pass and cut in from the right wing, weaving through two defenders for the winning basket.
The Owls were behind 64-42 with 12:09 left in the game. They trailed 76-63 until Murphy drained a 3 and followed with a dunk to close to 76-68 with 5:11 remaining. Chris Mullins followed with a layup, Drew Peterson dropped in two free throws and Martin had a layup to put Rice within two,76-74 with 3:16 remaining.
The Gauchos finally scored again when Amadou Sow had a layup for a 78-74 advantage with 2:19 left to play.
Heidegger had 21 points for UC Santa Barbara (1-2).
Game Information
- Referees:
- Mike Scyphers
- Jeff Ketchu
- Brady Chelette
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
2023-24 Big West Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
UC Irvine | 17-3 | - | 24-10 |
UC San Diego | 15-5 | 2 | 21-12 |
UC Davis | 14-6 | 3 | 20-13 |
Hawai'i | 11-9 | 6 | 20-14 |
Long Beach State | 10-10 | 7 | 21-15 |
UC Riverside | 10-10 | 7 | 16-18 |
Cal State Northridge | 9-11 | 8 | 19-15 |
UC Santa Barbara | 9-11 | 8 | 16-15 |
Cal State Bakersfield | 8-12 | 9 | 13-19 |
Cal State Fullerton | 7-13 | 10 | 14-18 |
Cal Poly | 0-20 | 17 | 4-28 |