Houston Roundball Review Archive: December 2006 Willis Wilson after Owls Defeat Prairie View

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

HOUSTON, TX (Autry Court) -- Wednesday night at Autry Court, the Rice Owls (5-4) defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers 82 to 65 before a crowd of 1,175 fans.

Rice shot 71.1% (27 for 38 -- yes, just 38 shot attempts) for the game; however, head coach Willis Wilson was not completely satisfied with his team's effort.

Why?

32 turnovers!

Also, the Panthers picked up 25 offensive boards as well.

This game was really never in doubt from the opening tip; but, the Owls did not do themselves any favors with so many turnovers in the second half.

Owls' All-American Morris Almond scored 28 points (6 of 8 from the field, 3 for 5 on threes, 13 for 15 from the free throw line) in just 32 minutes.

Almond added 11 rebounds and five assists; but, he contributed to 32 turnovers with five TOs himself.

Freshman guard Chris Hagan scored 17 points for the Owls (7 for 9 shooting); but, Hagan committed a game-high nine turnovers.

Rice led 44 to 25 at halftime and led by as much as 31 (65 to 34) in the second half; but, the Panthers began full-court pressure; and, the Owls seemed to have no idea whatsoever how to consistently break the pressure defense.

Therefore, Rice turned the ball over 19 times in the second half.

Prairie View was led by Chris Gaines' 23 points on 9 of 16 shooting. Derek Johnson added 11 points. Ivory McGilvery, the team's leading scorer coming into the game, did not score in the ball game.

McGilvery, freshman shooting guard, missed all 10 of his field goal attempts.

After the unique ball game, Owls' Ccoach Willis Wilson spoke to the media and praised his team's field goal shooting; however, he was very disappointed in the 32 turnovers.

He also gave credit to PV for playing hard the entire 40 minutes of the ball game.

Take a listen...

Willis Wilson: "...they do not quit..."

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