Thursday, December 19
Houston, TX
11:15 a.m.
Rice University
8-4,0-0AAC
68
vs
69
UNT-Dallas
2-1
1
2
F
North Texas-Dallas
26
43
69
Rice
37
31
68
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Rice Drops Heartbreaker to UNT-Dallas
12/19/2024 3:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – Vernon Johnson made three free throws with seven seconds left to hand Rice its first loss at home this season, 69-68, Thursday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Rice jumped out to an early 4-3 lead. But UNT-Dallas scored seven of the next nine points to grab a 10-6 advantage. The teams went back-and-forth over the next three minutes. However, the Owls went on a 15-2 run to grab a 28-18 lead. Two straight baskets cut the lead to six, but Andrew Akuchie made one-of-two free throws and Denver Anglin hit a three-pointer to push the lead back to 10. Four straight UNTD free throws again made it a six-point game with 1:40 to play in the half. But, a jumper by Trae Broadnax followed by Anglin's second three sent Rice into halftime with a 37-26 lead.
The Owls came out strong in the second half, scoring seven of the first 10 points to take its largest lead of the game, 44-29, three minutes in. However, UNT-Dallas made seven of its next 10 shots to trim the lead to 51-48. After going back-and-forth, the Trailblazers cut the deficit to one. Broadnax hit a jumper and Caden Powell made three-of-four free throws. But, four straight UNTD free throws tied the game at 61 with 3:43 to play. Rice regained the lead twice more, only to have the Trailblazers tie it. With 28 seconds left, Broadnax made a jumper. Greg Crawford made one of two free throws, and Broadnax was fouled. However, he made just one-of-two from the line, keeping it a two-point game. UNT-Dallas then came down and Johnson attempted a three-pointer, but was fouled by Kellen Amos. Johnson made all three free throws, giving UNTD a 69-68 lead with seven seconds left. Rice had a chance to take the lead when Amos was fouled with two seconds to play. However, he missed both free throws, and Ashton Howard secured the rebound and the win for UNT-Dallas.
The Stats
Rice was held to 40.4% (23-of-57) from the field, 25.0% (5-of-20) from three, and 63.0% (17-of-27) from the free throw line. UNT-Dallas connected on 45.8% (22-of-48) from the floor, 41.7% (5-of-12) from three, and 80.0% (20-of-25) from the charity stripe. Rice also outrebounded the Trailblazers, 38-to-30.
Notes
• This was the first-ever meeting against UNT-Dallas.
• Trae Broadnax scored a team-high 13 points, his 12th straight double-figure game to open the season, and had three rebounds and three assists.
• Andrew Akuchie scored a season-high 11 points and tied a season-high with six rebounds.
• Denver Anglin scored 11 points, his fifth double-figure scoring game this year, and grabbed a career-high five rebounds.
• Kellen Amos scored 10 points.
• Caden Powell scored seven points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
Next Up
Rice closes its non-conference slate this Sunday, Dec. 22, when it hosts Prairie View A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice jumped out to an early 4-3 lead. But UNT-Dallas scored seven of the next nine points to grab a 10-6 advantage. The teams went back-and-forth over the next three minutes. However, the Owls went on a 15-2 run to grab a 28-18 lead. Two straight baskets cut the lead to six, but Andrew Akuchie made one-of-two free throws and Denver Anglin hit a three-pointer to push the lead back to 10. Four straight UNTD free throws again made it a six-point game with 1:40 to play in the half. But, a jumper by Trae Broadnax followed by Anglin's second three sent Rice into halftime with a 37-26 lead.
The Owls came out strong in the second half, scoring seven of the first 10 points to take its largest lead of the game, 44-29, three minutes in. However, UNT-Dallas made seven of its next 10 shots to trim the lead to 51-48. After going back-and-forth, the Trailblazers cut the deficit to one. Broadnax hit a jumper and Caden Powell made three-of-four free throws. But, four straight UNTD free throws tied the game at 61 with 3:43 to play. Rice regained the lead twice more, only to have the Trailblazers tie it. With 28 seconds left, Broadnax made a jumper. Greg Crawford made one of two free throws, and Broadnax was fouled. However, he made just one-of-two from the line, keeping it a two-point game. UNT-Dallas then came down and Johnson attempted a three-pointer, but was fouled by Kellen Amos. Johnson made all three free throws, giving UNTD a 69-68 lead with seven seconds left. Rice had a chance to take the lead when Amos was fouled with two seconds to play. However, he missed both free throws, and Ashton Howard secured the rebound and the win for UNT-Dallas.
The Stats
Rice was held to 40.4% (23-of-57) from the field, 25.0% (5-of-20) from three, and 63.0% (17-of-27) from the free throw line. UNT-Dallas connected on 45.8% (22-of-48) from the floor, 41.7% (5-of-12) from three, and 80.0% (20-of-25) from the charity stripe. Rice also outrebounded the Trailblazers, 38-to-30.
Notes
• This was the first-ever meeting against UNT-Dallas.
• Trae Broadnax scored a team-high 13 points, his 12th straight double-figure game to open the season, and had three rebounds and three assists.
• Andrew Akuchie scored a season-high 11 points and tied a season-high with six rebounds.
• Denver Anglin scored 11 points, his fifth double-figure scoring game this year, and grabbed a career-high five rebounds.
• Kellen Amos scored 10 points.
• Caden Powell scored seven points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
Next Up
Rice closes its non-conference slate this Sunday, Dec. 22, when it hosts Prairie View A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
M-506547
M-574
FG%
.458
.404
3FG%
.417
.250
FT%
.800
.630
RB
30
38
TO
11
10
STL
8
2
Game Leaders
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG/F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
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