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RICE BASKETBALL
The Rice Raiders defeated Industrial 64-50 on Monday to improve their district record to 7-1 to keep them in first place.
The Raiders are looking to get back to the post season this year and with their 7th district win under their belt that are in a good position to do exactly that.
Defensively the Raiders started the game a little bit slow, Industrial was able to establish a lead early in the game. The defense started to find a rhythm late in the first quarter but then their offense started to struggle.
Once the offense found their rhythm, they took the lead back from Industrial and never looked back. Raiders head coach John Paul Hunter was overall pleased with his team’s effort but wanted just a little bit more on offense.
“I thought we played decent, we did not shoot the ball great, but we played really good defense and that’s what we try to do,” Hunter said. “We are not very efficient on offense if we are not playing good defense.”
In the second half the Raiders defense took over the game, they forced several turnovers at half court and dominated the rebounding battle. Then Like Hunter said once they got the ball their high-flying offense ran down the court and caught to Industrial defense sleeping at the wheel for easy points.
“We have to be aggressive on defense, that is how we have to play,” Hunter said. “We are not efficient on offense, so they have free reign to be as aggressive as they want.”
While the Raiders are not the most efficient team on offense, Robert Bennett and his vision on the offensive side of the floor cannot be overlooked. Hunter acknowledged his starting point guard’s development.
“He has definitely grown and matured, he has been with me for three years now,” Hunter said. “I have had him since he was a freshman, and he is definitely a different ball player from when he first got here. Defensively I think his vision is better than offense, but he can score with the best of them and really is a special player for us.”
The Raiders will be looking to stack up more wins as they look ahead to their next games against Yoakum and Edna.
