Sunday, January 19
Boca Raton, FL
12 p.m.
Rice University
11-8,2-4AAC
73
at
75
Florida Atlantic
10-9,3-3AAC
1
2
F
Rice
43
30
73
Fla. Atlantic
38
37
75
Photo by: Maria Lysaker | Rice Athletics
Rice Drops Heartbreaker at Florida Atlantic
1/19/2025 2:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Baba Miller hit two free throws with 2.2 seconds to play as Florida Atlantic closed the final 3:17 on a 12-2 run to hand Rice a 75-73 defeat, Sunday afternoon from Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
The Story
The game began as a back-and-forth affair. With Rice leading 6-3, Florida Atlantic scored nine of the next 12 points to tie the game at 12. But the Rice went on a 9-0 run behind a three-point play by Andrew Akuchie and three-pointers from Denver Anglin and Aaron Powell. FAU pulled to within five, but a 7-2 Rice run, capped off by Powell's second three, gave it its largest lead of the half, 36-25, with 5:59 to play in the half. FAU scored the next seven points, but Jacob Dar stopped the run with a three. The teams then traded baskets, with Florida Atlantic pulling to within three points. But free throws from Jimmy Oladokun sent Rice into the break with a 43-38 lead.
Dar started the second half strong, scoring eight of Rice's first 10 points and it opened the half on a 10-1 run. After a pair of buckets by FAU, Rice made three-of-four free throws, and Aaron Powell hit his third three to give Rice its largest lead of the game, 59-43, 6:30 into the half. However, Florida Atlantic began to chip away. It went on a 15-4 run, cutting the deficit to five. Andrew Akuchie made two free throws, but FAU went on a 9-2 run. The teams then traded baskets. Dar then made his fifth three of the game as Rice took a 71-63 lead with 3:39 to play. However, eight straight points tied the game at 71. Rice regained the lead on a Trae Broadnax jumper, but Kaleb Glenn's layup retied the game with 49 seconds to play. Rice had a chance for the lead, but Broadnax's jumper was too strong, and FAU was able to hold for the last shot. With time winding down, Florida Atlantic got the ball into Miller, who was fouled by Broadnax. Miller hit both free throws, giving FAU its first lead since 7-6. Rice had one more chance, but Dar's halfcourt heave was off the mark.
The Stats
Rice was held to 43.9% (25-of-57) from the field, but connected on 52.0% (13-of-25) from three. Florida Atlantic shot 44.4% (28-of-63) from the floor, 28.6% (6-of-21) three, and 72.2% (13-of-18) from the free throw line. FAU won the rebounding battle, 40-to-35, and scored 19 points off 14 offensive rebounds.
Notes
• Rice and Florida Atlantic met for the 12th time, with Florida Atlantic holding a 7-5 record.
• In Boca Raton, the series is tied at three.
• Rice connected on 52.0% from three, setting a season-high.
• Rice also tied season-highs for points in a half (43) and three-pointers (13).
• With 13 three-pointers, Rice connected on at least 10 for the fourth time this year.
• Jacob Dar led Rice with season-highs of 19 points and five three-pointers, while grabbing five rebounds.
• Aaron Powell scored a career-high 15 points, his first career double-digit game.
• Caden Powell scored eight points and had a team-high eight rebounds.
• Alem Huseinovic had eight points and a season-high five rebounds
Next Up
Rice returns home for a nationally-televised contest on Saturday, Jan. 25, against Tulane. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
The Story
The game began as a back-and-forth affair. With Rice leading 6-3, Florida Atlantic scored nine of the next 12 points to tie the game at 12. But the Rice went on a 9-0 run behind a three-point play by Andrew Akuchie and three-pointers from Denver Anglin and Aaron Powell. FAU pulled to within five, but a 7-2 Rice run, capped off by Powell's second three, gave it its largest lead of the half, 36-25, with 5:59 to play in the half. FAU scored the next seven points, but Jacob Dar stopped the run with a three. The teams then traded baskets, with Florida Atlantic pulling to within three points. But free throws from Jimmy Oladokun sent Rice into the break with a 43-38 lead.
Dar started the second half strong, scoring eight of Rice's first 10 points and it opened the half on a 10-1 run. After a pair of buckets by FAU, Rice made three-of-four free throws, and Aaron Powell hit his third three to give Rice its largest lead of the game, 59-43, 6:30 into the half. However, Florida Atlantic began to chip away. It went on a 15-4 run, cutting the deficit to five. Andrew Akuchie made two free throws, but FAU went on a 9-2 run. The teams then traded baskets. Dar then made his fifth three of the game as Rice took a 71-63 lead with 3:39 to play. However, eight straight points tied the game at 71. Rice regained the lead on a Trae Broadnax jumper, but Kaleb Glenn's layup retied the game with 49 seconds to play. Rice had a chance for the lead, but Broadnax's jumper was too strong, and FAU was able to hold for the last shot. With time winding down, Florida Atlantic got the ball into Miller, who was fouled by Broadnax. Miller hit both free throws, giving FAU its first lead since 7-6. Rice had one more chance, but Dar's halfcourt heave was off the mark.
The Stats
Rice was held to 43.9% (25-of-57) from the field, but connected on 52.0% (13-of-25) from three. Florida Atlantic shot 44.4% (28-of-63) from the floor, 28.6% (6-of-21) three, and 72.2% (13-of-18) from the free throw line. FAU won the rebounding battle, 40-to-35, and scored 19 points off 14 offensive rebounds.
Notes
• Rice and Florida Atlantic met for the 12th time, with Florida Atlantic holding a 7-5 record.
• In Boca Raton, the series is tied at three.
• Rice connected on 52.0% from three, setting a season-high.
• Rice also tied season-highs for points in a half (43) and three-pointers (13).
• With 13 three-pointers, Rice connected on at least 10 for the fourth time this year.
• Jacob Dar led Rice with season-highs of 19 points and five three-pointers, while grabbing five rebounds.
• Aaron Powell scored a career-high 15 points, his first career double-digit game.
• Caden Powell scored eight points and had a team-high eight rebounds.
• Alem Huseinovic had eight points and a season-high five rebounds
Next Up
Rice returns home for a nationally-televised contest on Saturday, Jan. 25, against Tulane. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised by ESPNU.
Team Stats
Rice
FAU
FG%
.439
.444
3FG%
.520
.286
FT%
.667
.722
RB
35
40
TO
10
6
STL
3
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
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