Tuesday, January 14
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
11-7,2-3AAC
84
vs
90
UTSA
8-8,2-2AAC
1
2
F
UTSA
51
39
90
Rice
41
43
84
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Comeback Falls Short as Rice Drops Tough Decision to UTSA
1/14/2025 11:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON – Rice erased a 17-point deficit to take the lead with 10 minutes to play, but it was not enough, as it fell to UTSA, 90-84, Tuesday night from Tudor Fieldhouse.
The Story
Rice came out strong, making six straight shots to take an early 15-7 lead. UTSA then went on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 17. After both teams traded three-pointers, Damari Monsanto hit a three. Trae Broadnax made two free throws to cut the deficit to one. But the Owls missed five straight shots, as UTSA went on a 14-3 run. After trading baskets, Broadnax made two more free throws and Kellen Amos made one-of-two. However, the Roadrunners used an 11-3 to take their largest lead of the game, 51-34, with 1:39 to play. The Owls, though, scored the final seven points to head into halftime trailing, 51-41.
The teams traded baskets through the first 3:31 of the second half. Rice then stepped up its defense, forcing UTSA into nine straight misses as it scored seven straight points. After the Roadrunners made one-of two free throws, Denver Anglin and Raekwon Horton traded threes. Jacob Dar then hit a jumper and made two free throws to give Rice a 62-61 lead halfway through the second half. However, the Roadrunners responded, going on an 11-2 run. A jumper by Broadnax and a three from Dar cut the deficit to three. But Primo Spears answered with a three of his own. They traded baskets, and Broadnax made a pair of free throws, but UTSA made another three from Marcus Millender. Rice was able to cut the lead to four, but the Roadrunners made eight straight free throws to close the game.
UTSA got 71 of their points from Spears (26), Millender (25), and Horton (20).
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"A lot of credit goes to UTSA. They made 13 threes, but the nine in the first half really made us play from behind. We gave up 19 points off turnovers in the first half, so that set us back and dug a hole. During that stretch, we wound up a little bit shell-shocked. So we got affected effort-wise during that stretch. But, we regrouped at halftime, came out, gave a great effort. (We) took the lead, and with 10 minutes to go, it was who is going to win those 10 minutes. To their credit, they responded. But, if we keep pouring in like this, because the conference is a different landscape, and we're adapting to it. But, that's our learning curve right now. Now we've got to play better."
The Stats
Rice connected 52.0% (26-of-50) from the field, 38.5% (10-of-26) from three, and 73.3% (22-of-30) from the free throw line. UTSA shot 46.2% (30-of-65) from the floor, 41.9% (13-of-31) from three, and 94.4% (17-of-18) from the free throw line. Rice outrebounded the Roadrunners, 36-to-28, but UTSA scored 26 points off 16 Rice turnovers.
Notes
• Rice and UTSA met for the 25th time, with UTSA holding a 14-11 record.
• In Houston, the series is tied at seven.
• Rice set season-highs for points (84) and points in a half (43).
• With 10 three-pointers, Rice connected on at least 10 for the third time this year.
• Rice shot at least 50.0% from the field for the second time this season.
• Trae Broadnax tied a season-high with 19 points, scoring double-figures for the 18th straight game to open the season.
• Broadnax also had six rebounds and a game-high six assists, and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
• Alem Huseinovic scored 12 points.
• Jacob Dar scored a season-high 11 points and tied a season-high with six rebounds.
• Caden Powell scored 11 points and had four rebounds.
• Andrew Akuchie had six points and six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice goes back on the road this Sunday, Jan. 19, when it travels to Boca Raton, Fla., to face Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
The Story
Rice came out strong, making six straight shots to take an early 15-7 lead. UTSA then went on a 10-2 run to tie the game at 17. After both teams traded three-pointers, Damari Monsanto hit a three. Trae Broadnax made two free throws to cut the deficit to one. But the Owls missed five straight shots, as UTSA went on a 14-3 run. After trading baskets, Broadnax made two more free throws and Kellen Amos made one-of-two. However, the Roadrunners used an 11-3 to take their largest lead of the game, 51-34, with 1:39 to play. The Owls, though, scored the final seven points to head into halftime trailing, 51-41.
The teams traded baskets through the first 3:31 of the second half. Rice then stepped up its defense, forcing UTSA into nine straight misses as it scored seven straight points. After the Roadrunners made one-of two free throws, Denver Anglin and Raekwon Horton traded threes. Jacob Dar then hit a jumper and made two free throws to give Rice a 62-61 lead halfway through the second half. However, the Roadrunners responded, going on an 11-2 run. A jumper by Broadnax and a three from Dar cut the deficit to three. But Primo Spears answered with a three of his own. They traded baskets, and Broadnax made a pair of free throws, but UTSA made another three from Marcus Millender. Rice was able to cut the lead to four, but the Roadrunners made eight straight free throws to close the game.
UTSA got 71 of their points from Spears (26), Millender (25), and Horton (20).
What Head Coach Rob Lanier Had to Say
"A lot of credit goes to UTSA. They made 13 threes, but the nine in the first half really made us play from behind. We gave up 19 points off turnovers in the first half, so that set us back and dug a hole. During that stretch, we wound up a little bit shell-shocked. So we got affected effort-wise during that stretch. But, we regrouped at halftime, came out, gave a great effort. (We) took the lead, and with 10 minutes to go, it was who is going to win those 10 minutes. To their credit, they responded. But, if we keep pouring in like this, because the conference is a different landscape, and we're adapting to it. But, that's our learning curve right now. Now we've got to play better."
The Stats
Rice connected 52.0% (26-of-50) from the field, 38.5% (10-of-26) from three, and 73.3% (22-of-30) from the free throw line. UTSA shot 46.2% (30-of-65) from the floor, 41.9% (13-of-31) from three, and 94.4% (17-of-18) from the free throw line. Rice outrebounded the Roadrunners, 36-to-28, but UTSA scored 26 points off 16 Rice turnovers.
Notes
• Rice and UTSA met for the 25th time, with UTSA holding a 14-11 record.
• In Houston, the series is tied at seven.
• Rice set season-highs for points (84) and points in a half (43).
• With 10 three-pointers, Rice connected on at least 10 for the third time this year.
• Rice shot at least 50.0% from the field for the second time this season.
• Trae Broadnax tied a season-high with 19 points, scoring double-figures for the 18th straight game to open the season.
• Broadnax also had six rebounds and a game-high six assists, and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
• Alem Huseinovic scored 12 points.
• Jacob Dar scored a season-high 11 points and tied a season-high with six rebounds.
• Caden Powell scored 11 points and had four rebounds.
• Andrew Akuchie had six points and six rebounds.
Next Up
Rice goes back on the road this Sunday, Jan. 19, when it travels to Boca Raton, Fla., to face Florida Atlantic. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT and the game will be streamed by ESPN+.
Team Stats
UTSA
Rice
FG%
.462
.520
3FG%
.419
.385
FT%
.944
.733
RB
28
36
TO
6
16
STL
11
2
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
8
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
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