11/16/2001 - Men's Basketball
Mids Fall To Rice Despite Last-Minute Heroics
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The Navy men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to Rice in Houston Friday evening in both teams' season opener. The Midshipmen came back from a 14-point deficit with 50 seconds remaining to close within three with 21 seconds to go before eventually falling to the Owls, 75-72.
A bucket by Navy reserve center Mitch Moore (Fairborn, Ohio) sparked the run, cutting into Rice's lead with 40 seconds left in the game.
An ensuing turnover caused by the disciplined Midshipmen defense led to a jumper by Houston native Jehiel Lewis just three seconds later.
Navy's defense again swarmed the Owls, and the Mids got the ball back. Lewis grabbed the ball and set up for a three-pointer when he was run over. He was rewarded with three free throw attempts. Lewis connected on two, narrowing the scored to 75-67, an eight-point game.
Jamie Nero fouled Rice's Brandon Evans, sending him to the line for two free throws. Evans, who began the game with an air ball from the charity stripe, missed both attempts and kept Navy's hopes alive.
Lewis took control of the game by dribbling straight up the the court and pulling up for a three-pointer. He sank the trey, as Navy trailed just 75-70 with 27 seconds to go in the contest.
Lewis got the ball off another Rice turnover and threw up a three. Though he missed, Moore was underneath to get the putback and get Navy within three.
Moore then fouled and sent Shawn Tyndell to the free throw line for the Owls. Tyndell, who did not score in the second half, missed both free throws. Navy took the rebound and got two good looks at the bucket ? a three-pointer by Kyle Barker and a three by Nero ? but neither would fall.
Moore and Barker led Navy with 13 points apiece. Barker also added a team-high seven boards, while Moore pitched in five. Lewis ended the game with 12 points, two assists and four steals.
For Rice, freshman forward Michael Harris had an impressive collegiate debut. He scored 18 points on an 8-for-10 effort from the field. Meanwhile, guard Omar-Seli Mance scored 16, while dishing out four assists.
The Mids return to action Sunday afternoon when they travel to Dallas to take on SMU at 3:05 p.m. EST.
